Romania reaches over 10,000 public electric vehicle charging points

Romania has crossed a significant milestone, surpassing 10,000 public charging points for electric vehicles by the end of the third quarter of 2026. This expansion in infrastructure reflects the country's commitment to promoting electric mobility and reducing carbon emissions.

The national fleet of 100% electric cars has also seen remarkable growth, exceeding 75,000 units. In just six years, the number of electric vehicles has increased thirteenfold, showcasing a strong shift towards sustainable transportation. The statistics indicate an impressive ratio of 6.7 electric cars for each public charging point, which speaks volumes about the growing adoption of electric vehicles.

In the first nine months of this year alone, nearly 3,000 new charging points have been added, with the number of fast charging points (DC) reaching 5,010 units—a thirtyfold increase since the end of 2020. Meanwhile, the number of alternating current points (AC) has also risen to 5,060 units, further enhancing the charging infrastructure.

In terms of new registrations, over 7,000 brand-new 100% electric vehicles were registered in the first eight months of 2026, marking a 50% increase compared to the same period last year. This surge has allowed fully electric models to capture approximately 8% of the total new car registrations.

Romania continues to experience an annual growth rate of 33% in the number of public charging points, which is encouraging for electric vehicle owners. However, the industry faces the next challenge: improving the charging experience for drivers. Ionela Mitran, Country Manager for Global Payments Romania, emphasizes the need to make the charging process as seamless as conventional refueling.

To address this, Global Payments has developed the Smart Fuel Pass, which integrates card payments, contactless technology, and other payment methods. This system is designed to process transactions efficiently, manage tariffs, issue invoices, and oversee the charging infrastructure. The Smart Fuel Pass platform is already functioning in a network of over 7,000 charging points across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria, with plans for expansion in Romania.

As electric vehicle technology evolves, new architectures with 800V to 1,000V capabilities are reducing charging time significantly, allowing vehicles to charge from 10% to 80% in just 7-12 minutes. Furthermore, wireless charging and Vehicle-to-Grid solutions are becoming the new standards in electric mobility, enhancing the overall experience for users while contributing to a sustainable future.