Fastned CEO Michiel Langezaal: Establishing the Pinnacle for Electric Vehicle Charging Standards via Spark Alliance Membership
The Spark Alliance, a collaboration between leading fast-charging network operators, is striving to establish a high-quality benchmark for electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging infrastructure across Europe. The alliance, which includes prominent members such as Fastned and Ionity, is committed to providing fast, reliable, and convenient charging experiences for EV users.
Currently, Fastned and Ionity, along with other fast-charging providers, are working together to expand and improve the public charging network across Europe. The alliance's focus is on making fast charging more accessible and standardized, emphasizing interoperability, high charging speeds, user-friendly payment systems, and extensive coverage.
Given the recent surge in European EV sales and registrations, with battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations up by 26% in early 2025, the demand for reliable fast charging infrastructure is growing rapidly.
The Spark Alliance's "Golden Standard" involves creating a unified, high-quality user experience across all member networks. This includes ensuring consistent charging speeds, providing transparent and fair pricing models, guaranteeing 24/7 availability, easy access, and reliable uptime for all stations under the alliance, and implementing common payment methods and digital access to reduce complexity for EV drivers traveling across different European countries.
The alliance also plans to expand infrastructure coverage, especially along key corridors and underserved areas, to support the anticipated increase in EV adoption. Collaboration with national governments and regulatory bodies is expected to accelerate permitting and infrastructure build-out, complementing broader EU and national incentives aimed at EV infrastructure expansion.
Europe is moving towards achieving over 8.8 million public charging points by 2030, a massive scale-up from the 1 million public points reached in 2025. The Spark Alliance’s efforts align with this vision by setting quality and reliability benchmarks for fast charging.
German and other European governments are supporting this expansion with tax incentives, funding lines, and streamlined permitting, which will benefit networks like those involved in the Spark Alliance. The surge in EV adoption, including new affordable models and stronger market demand, increases the urgency for high-standard fast-charging infrastructure, which the Spark Alliance aims to deliver in the coming years.
Fastned, one of the founding members of the Spark Alliance, was able to secure the majority of the 250 locations available for fast-charging networks at the time due to a lack of enthusiasm for charging stations along highways. However, the EU's target of having basic fast-charging stations every 60 kilometers along major highways is still far from being met in many parts of Europe.
The Spark Alliance's initiatives are a significant step towards ensuring a seamless electric driving experience across Europe, with a network of 11,000 charging points in 25 countries. The goal is to make quality fast-charging stations more visible in navigation systems, show real-time availability, and ensure seamless payment options. By doing so, the alliance aims to make EV travel as convenient as traditional fuel-based travel.
- The Spark Alliance, comprising Fastned, Ionity, and other fast-charging providers, is working to expand and enhance Europe's public electric vehicle (EV) charging network.
- With the anticipated increase in EV adoption and the demand for reliable fast charging infrastructure growing rapidly, the alliance is focused on making fast charging more accessible and standardized.
- The alliance's "Golden Standard" involves creating a unified, high-quality user experience across all member networks, ensuring consistency, transparency, availability, and reliable uptime for charging stations.
- To support the expected rise in EV adoption, the alliance plans to expand infrastructure coverage, particularly along key corridors and underserved areas, in alignment with Europe's goal of reaching 8.8 million public charging points by 2030.
- Governments, such as those in Germany, are supporting this expansion with tax incentives, funding lines, and streamlined permitting, benefiting networks like those in the Spark Alliance.
- By delivering high-standard fast-charging infrastructure, the Spark Alliance aims to make EV travel as convenient as traditional fuel-based travel, transforming European lifestyle, business, and industry with technology-driven, energy-efficient cars and electric-vehicles.
