Hrvatski Telekom joins SEE e-chargers network

The leading provider of telecommunications services in Croatia, Hrvatski Telekom, has installed first two fast electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This is the beginning of the project that aims to create e-chargers network and help development of green e-mobility corridors in Central and South East Europe (SEE).

The installation of these two chargers in Croatia’s capital by Hrvatski Telekom and retail Kaufland Croatia, marked the beginning of the EUR 4.3 million project Comprehensive fast-charging corridor network in South East Europe.

The European Union is a co-financier of the project, while The Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy supported it.

Both e-chargers are located at the parking lots of Kaufland stores in Zagreb. Chargers are available 24/7 for all EV owners, full of ICT benefits and are free of charge. Two electric cars could be charged at the same time, with 3 different connections.

The plan under the project is to open a total of 73 fast electric chargers, including four ultra-fast ones, at 31 locations in Croatia and Romania. The project is designed to last until the end of 2020 and to contribute to the fulfillment of the Europe 2020 Strategy goals.

In Croatia, it’s planned to install 16 fast and one ultra-fast e-charging station on six locations at least, mostly around shopping centers, gas stations and other spots with easy access to the motorways.

The new e-chargers are planned to be installed along the Ten-T corridor in Croatia, close to the cities of Varaždin, Karlovac, Delnice and Rijeka, Hrvatska Telekom said in the statement.

Electric chargers’ usage in Croatia increased by 100 percent in past year, according to Dino Novosel from Hrvatski Telekom, who also said that his company operates more than 50 percent of e-chargers in the country.

The largest regional network of e-chargers Puni.hr currently has 105 chargers across Croatia, in 70 towns and provides 150 charging spots.

It is estimated that the e-mobility industry at the EU level in 2020 will be worth EUR 5 billion.