MINSK, 12 October (BelTA) – Plans have been made to open 431 vehicle charging stations in Belarus by 2022. The target is set by the government program on setting up a state network of vehicle charging stations. The program has been adopted by the Council of Ministers' resolution No.731 of 10 October 2018, BelTA has learned.

The program is designed to build a chain of vehicle charging stations and offer quality and affordable car charging services in compliance with international standards. The program will be implemented in three stages. The first one will be implemented by 2021 and provides for placing 431 vehicle charging stations in Minsk, in priority locations in the oblast capitals, and along M and M/E category roads. The second stage is meant to be implemented in 2022-2025, provided the number of electric vehicles in Belarus exceeds 10,000. The third stage will be implemented in 2026-2030, provided the number of electric vehicles in Belarus exceeds 25,000.

Plans have been made to build a total of 1,304 vehicle charging stations in Belarus by 2030, including 1,224 stations in populated localities and 80 stations along the main motorways. The stations to be built along the motorways will be 50-70km apart. As many as 25 superfast charging stations will be set up in Minsk, the oblast capitals, and along the main motorways (120-150km apart).

The gasoline fueling stations chain operator Belorusneft will use its own resources to finance the program's implementation.

The targets stipulated by the program may be adjusted later on to take into account the actual number of electric vehicles in Belarus and the world trends in the area of charging infrastructure development.