Russian charging networks reported a noticeable summer increase in sessions, but national utilisation remains low and differs sharply between large cities and the rest of the country.
Key facts
- Market participants reported a 15–20% increase in demand from the beginning of June.
- Rosenergoatom recorded 24% growth across 239 stations, while RusHydro reported about 40% across 546 stations.
- Average national utilisation was estimated at only 3.5–4%, versus roughly 7–9% in Moscow.
- The country was reported to have about 80,000 EVs and 7,000 chargers within a total passenger-car fleet of 47.5 million.
More charging sessions during summer
Operators cited a visible increase in charging activity as seasonal travel grew and the electric fleet expanded. The article reports that overall demand rose by around 15–20% from the start of June.
Individual networks saw stronger changes: Rosenergoatom reported 24% growth on 239 stations, and RusHydro about 40% on a network of 546 stations. These figures show that use can rise quickly where coverage and traffic already exist.
Utilisation is still the central challenge
Despite growth, an average charger is used for only a small share of the day. National utilisation was estimated at 3.5–4%, while Moscow reached approximately 7–9%. Rosenergoatom cited about 12% in Moscow and 5% across its wider network.
Low utilisation makes the economics of new stations difficult, especially where grid connection, land and maintenance costs are high. Operators need enough vehicles, reliable locations and repeat users before a site reaches stable profitability.
Infrastructure and fleet must grow together
The reported ratio—about 80,000 electric cars and 7,000 charging points—looks reasonable at first glance, but national averages hide major regional gaps. Some urban sites can be busy while rural or newly opened stations remain underused.
A sustainable network therefore requires coordinated placement along travel corridors, in residential districts and near destinations where drivers already park. Reliability and simple payment are as important as the number of installed units.
Lessons for other markets
The report illustrates a common phase in EV adoption: infrastructure often has to be built before demand is fully mature. Early stations may operate below capacity, but insufficient coverage can also discourage people from buying an electric car.
For site owners, the practical lesson is to evaluate local traffic, dwell time, power availability and future fleet growth rather than relying only on national EV numbers.