EVCI: A Market at the Crossroads of Multiple Disciplines
Unlike a retail store or a conventional service business, electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI) sits at the intersection of energy, mobility, real estate and digital technology. A market study in this field cannot simply count the number of electric vehicles in a catchment area. It must incorporate dimensions that most generalist research firms simply do not master.
It is this complexity that makes EVCI market research a unique exercise, requiring specific expertise and a thorough understanding of the entire value chain.
The Technical Dimension: Understanding What You Are Studying
A charging station is not a standardised product. There is a considerable range of technologies:
- AC (alternating current): chargers from 3.7 kW to 22 kW, suited to long-duration parking (home, office, hotel).
- DC (direct current): fast chargers from 50 kW to 400 kW+, designed for short stops (petrol stations, motorway rest areas, logistics hubs).
- Connectors: Type 2 (European AC standard), CCS Combo 2 (European DC standard), CHAdeMO (increasingly marginalised).
The analyst must understand these distinctions to correctly size the demand. Studying a site without knowing whether local demand calls for slow or fast charging is like evaluating a restaurant without knowing whether it is fast food or fine dining — the conclusions will inevitably be wrong.
The Energy Dimension: Grid Connection, the Nerve of the War
One of the most underestimated aspects of EVCI market studies is the grid connection constraint. Installing a fast charging station (150 kW × 4 charge points = 600 kW) requires power equivalent to a small office building. Obtaining a connection from Enedis (in France) or the CEB (in Mauritius) can take 6 to 18 months and cost €50,000 to €500,000 depending on the distance to the nearest substation.
A serious market study must therefore include a pre-analysis of grid connection: residual capacity of the local network, distance to the nearest HV/LV substation, and any reinforcements required. Ignoring this dimension amounts to recommending a site that cannot be technically connected, or whose connection cost will destroy profitability.
The Regulatory Dimension: A Constantly Moving Framework
The EVCI regulatory framework is evolving at a rapid pace:
- In France: the tertiary decree mandates pre-equipment of new car parks, the LOM law sets installation obligations for condominiums and businesses, and the ADVENIR programme subsidises installations under certain technical conditions.
- In Europe: the AFIR regulation (Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation), which came into force in 2024, sets coverage targets along TEN-T networks and minimum power requirements per station.
- Outside Europe: each territory (Mauritius, Middle East, East Africa) has its own framework, often still under construction.
The market study must anticipate regulatory evolution rather than merely photograph the current framework. A profitable site today can become obsolete if new obligations change technical standards or subsidy conditions.
The Competitive Dimension: A Complex Stakeholder Landscape
The EVCI market is not a simple bilateral market (supply/demand). It involves a multitude of players with sometimes divergent interests:
- Charging operators (TotalEnergies, Fastned, Allego, Ionity, Tesla Supercharger) who deploy and operate the stations.
- Property developers (real estate developers, shopping centre managers, parking operators) who provide the land.
- Local authorities that define EVCI master plans and award public service concessions.
- Energy companies (EDF, Engie, local utilities) that supply and connect the power.
- Car manufacturers whose strategies influence demand (ICE/EV mix, battery range).
Mapping this competition and these interactions requires sector knowledge that only specialists possess.
The Financial Dimension: Business Models Still Maturing
Unlike a conventional commercial activity with a proven business model, EVCI business models are still maturing. The price per kWh at the station, operating margins, average utilisation rates and payback periods vary considerably depending on charger type, location and contractual model (purchase, lease, CPO, eMSP).
A market study must produce realistic financial scenarios incorporating available subsidies, actual operating costs (maintenance, energy, land fees, supervision) and traffic projections over 5 to 10 years. This is a modelling exercise that goes well beyond a traditional catchment area study.
The MASOF Approach: Field Expertise at the Service of Decision-Making
At MASOF Consulting, our team combines hands-on operational experience in the EVCI sector with a rigorous market research methodology. We do not produce theoretical studies: we integrate technical, energy, regulatory and competitive constraints to deliver concrete, actionable recommendations.
Whether you are a charging operator, investor, property developer or local authority, an EVCI market study conducted by specialists is the essential foundation for an informed investment decision.