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Image credit: Fastned

Amsterdam-based Fastned, a company that provides a fast-charging network for electric vehicles, has been selected by the West Flemish Intercommunale (WVI) in Belgium to realise five large fast-charging stations on its business parks, mostly located along main roads in West Flanders.

The news follows Fastned’s recently teaming up with Oxford City Council, Pivot Power, Tesla, and Wenea to build and operate one of its largest fast-charging stations at the upcoming Energy Superhub Oxford (ESO).

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About West Flemish Intercommunale (WVI)

The story of WVI began in 1964 with the establishment of 3 intermunicipal companies, each with its own specific objective: the WIH, active in the field of housing projects; the WIER, active as a developer of business parks; and the WITAB, acted as a centre of expertise for urban and spatial planning. In 1999, the three intermunicipal companies merged to form WVI (West-Flemish Intermunicipal Service – Service Provisioning Association). WVI assists municipalities in fulfilling their duties.

As an extension of 54 West Flemish municipalities, WVI ensures intermunicipal cooperation in various domains. In this way it realises high-quality and sustainable business parks and housing projects for the local authorities and guides them in (future) challenges related to spacious planning, mobility, environment, nature, climate, energy, cross-border and European cooperation.

Kris Declercq, chairman of WVI and mayor of Roeselare, says, “As a pioneer of the energy switch, WVI plays a crucial role with its business parks and company buildings on those sites. By expanding the number of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles along the (West) Flemish roads, we are making the use of electric vehicles easier. Fastned is the right partner for this: they have extensive expertise in building fast-charging infrastructure and offer a pleasant charging experience for the electric driver.”

What to expect from Fastned on this development?

The fast-charging stations will be realised on WVI business parks next to high traffic roads. As an extension of 54 West Flemish municipalities, WVI has selected Fastned on the basis of an extensive selection process to build fast-charging stations on the total five available locations.

The first two concession agreements for a station in Roeselare and Ostend have now been signed. These stations will be completed next year.

The other locations will be realised in the coming years. Fastned expects to build a large charging station at each location where up to 16 vehicles can charge simultaneously. According to the company, the fast-charging stations can serve hundreds of electric vehicles per day at a charging speed of up to 300 kW. All the power will be from local sun and wind parks in Belgium.

Speaking on the development, Michiel Langezaal, CEO Fastned says, “I am very happy with the collaboration. The locations of WVI along busy roads are a fantastic addition to our European network of fast-charging stations, and with this we are joining forces to contribute to the transition to sustainable mobility. With the growing European network, we are making it increasingly easy for people to switch to an electric car. In the near future, we will be building many more stations in Belgium.”

About Fastned

The company was founded in 2012 by Michiel Langezaal and Bart Lubbers. Fastned aims to accelerate the transition to electric mobility by giving freedom to electric drivers. The company owns and operates a network of electric vehicle charging stations in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, and Belgium – the majority of its stations are located at Dutch highway rest areas.

The company reported that it is also working on the expansion into France. As of now, it has built 142 fast-charging stations.

Besides, the company also specialises in developing and operating a fast-charging infrastructure where drivers can charge their electric vehicle with up to 300 km of range in 15 minutes before continuing their journey. Currently, Fastned has more than 70 employees across its six operating markets and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.