The Czech Office for the Protection of Competition has launched a sector inquiry into the market for publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations, citing concerns over high concentration and potential barriers to effective competition. The authority will scrutinize the conditions under which wholesale electricity is supplied, how public charging stations are operated, and the factors that shape consumer decision-making and access.
Martin Machay, Chief Economist of the Office, explained that a handful of vertically integrated operators have dominated the market for a prolonged period, raising questions about whether the sector is functioning competitively. Publicly available pricing data reveals significant disparities between charging networks and a general lack of transparency, which the Office believes may be confusing to consumers and could deter them from using third-party providers. In many cases, the cost of charging at public stations substantially exceeds the retail price of electricity.
“Publicly available data indicate that a few vertically integrated entities have maintained a dominant presence in the market over time. This concentration, combined with other indicators, raises concerns about the proper functioning of competition in the EV charging sector,” Machay said.
These concerns echo findings from similar investigations in neighbouring countries, where authorities uncovered signs of market failures( Germany, Austria, France). The Czech regulator aims to determine whether similar issues are undermining competition at home. The inquiry will examine developments from 2020 through the first half of 2025 and will involve consultations with industry stakeholders, collection of data from market participants, and in-depth analysis of both vertical and horizontal market dynamics.
The ultimate goal is to assess whether distortions are present in the operation of public charging stations and, if so, to understand their root causes. The Office’s findings could influence future regulatory steps in this fast-growing sector.
