A first ultra-fast charging station in Paris

With 150 kW, the new Electra charging stations are the first ultra-fast chargers in Paris, located in an Indigo parking lot in the 13th arrondissement.

As we saw with the recent charging point barometer, the number of fast chargers is growing rapidly in 2022. But this is especially true on and near highways, where a dense network is needed to support electric vehicles over long distances.

Inside major cities, however, it’s more complicated due to a lack of parking spaces. This has led to their appearance underground, such as the Bélib’ Hub inaugurated this summer in Paris, but limited to 50 kW. Another company is taking the leap, with Electra opening an ultra-fast charging station this week.

150 kW in central Paris, it’s unprecedented!

“We are delighted to open the first underground ultra-fast charging hub in Paris with the Indigo group,” says Aurélien de Meaux, CEO of Electra, “We are aware of the challenges around fast-charging coverage in urban and suburban areas, which suffer from a lack of rapid charging infrastructure.”

This new location is situated at the Indigo parking lot near Porte d’Italie, in the 13th arrondissement. Parisians and Île-de-France residents had the opportunity to charge nearby on the périphérique. The first Electra ultra-fast charging station has been operating in Aubervilliers since 2021.

“The deployment of these ultra-fast chargers, which enable a 20-minute recharge in the city center, and which complement our network of standard charging stations, contribute to establishing this essential and anticipated ecosystem,” adds Sébastien Fraisse, Managing Director of Indigo. Electra also aims for “the deployment of 16 ultra-fast stations in 11 cities, including 7 in Île-de-France.”

What is the price for Electra’s rapid charging in Paris?

Despite investments and the deployment of many stations, Electra remains committed to its pricing policy. Rapid charging at Electra stations always costs €0.44 per kWh. This is higher than the new Lidl stations, but significantly lower than competitors like TotalEnergies or Fastned.

For the Paris station, Electra and Indigo are offering a promotional deal. Until March 31, 2023, the parking fee is deducted from the charging cost, amounting to 3 euros for 45 minutes. However, the payment must be made exclusively through the Electra app, available on the Apple Store or Google Play.

Also read: e-Vadea, a new network of fast chargers arriving in France