This month an agreement was reached to ensure that the Netherlands becomes the best-equipped country in the world for electric cars.

Over the next two years, this country will be installed with the world's largest network of electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging stations.

A step in the right direction

A contract was signed between Fastned, a Dutch company, and ABB, a Swiss energy specialist. They have agreed to install over 200 fast-charging stations throughout the Netherlands before the end of 2015.

This scheme will mean that 50km would be the furthest distance between any citizen and a charging point.

This proves the Netherlands' commitment to environmentally sustainable projects.

The co-founder of Fastned, Bart Lubbers, observes that this network of chargers "will lay the basis for the commercially viable development of e-mobility."

Technologically advanced

The EV charging stations will utilize "multi-standard" fast chargers. These devices are capable of fully charging any model of EV in as little as 15 minutes.

The stations will also be covered with solar canopies. The solar cells will provide a proportion of the charging stations' energy needs, so that the stations won't create peak loads on the energy grid.

Furthermore, the chargers will be cloud-connected. This means that drivers can easily track their vehicles' data and quickly pay for their electricity.

Source: Holland Trade