A Single Regulation Amendment Could Accelerate the Expansion of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
The Draft Law on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure envisages the expansion of Serbia’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network. However, this process is currently hindered by an administrative procedure that is almost as complex as obtaining a construction permit. The issue could be resolved through amendments to a single regulation, and the proposed solution is included in NALED’s Grey Book of Innovation.
The Draft Law on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure aligns with NALED’s recommendation to simplify the procedure for installing EV charging stations. It aims to remove barriers related to planning, permitting, procurement, optimal resource and cost efficiency, and the management of alternative fuels infrastructure. The draft also embraces the use of existing parking facilities and other complementary infrastructure, while setting a clear direction toward eliminating obstacles in the permitting process.
In an effort to harmonize with European regulations, the Draft Law on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure, which underwent public consultation in June this year, stipulates that cities and municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants must install at least one charging station with a minimum of five charging points. In addition, charging stations will be installed every 60 kilometers along state roads.
“Approximately 7,200 electric vehicles are currently registered in Serbia, and citizens will be more inclined to choose this option if charging facilities are readily available wherever they go. At the same time, investors are discouraged from installing new chargers because the procedure is almost as demanding as obtaining a construction permit. Safety and technical inspections must remain in place, but the administrative process can be significantly streamlined for the benefit of all stakeholders. NALED therefore proposes allowing the installation of charging stations without requiring a special approval from the authority responsible for construction matters, while maintaining mandatory conditions set by Serbia’s Electricity Distribution Company and, where necessary, approval from the public road authority,” said Dušan Vasiljević, Director of Competitiveness and Investment at NALED.
The need for this amendment stems from inconsistencies within the current regulation. One provision states that no approval from the competent authority is required for installing charging stations within the protective zones of roads and streets, while another provision mandates the issuance of a permit approving the execution of works.
Such inconsistencies leave room for different interpretations, meaning that investors in practice often have to follow procedures prescribed by the Planning and Construction Law, which require additional time, more extensive documentation, and higher costs. Amending the regulation would eliminate this legal ambiguity, make the process more predictable, and preserve the necessary oversight of charging station installation and grid connection.
Should the competent authorities determine that a special permit remains necessary for certain locations, NALED recommends in the Grey Book that such cases be clearly and precisely defined within the regulation. This would allow investors to know in advance which rules apply, which authorities they need to contact, and what documentation they must obtain.
Through the Grey Book of Innovation, developed as part of the StarTech project with the support of Philip Morris, NALED also proposes additional measures to foster the development of the eMobility ecosystem:
“Reducing toll fees by 50% for electric vehicles and by 25% for hybrid vehicles, as well as introducing free or discounted parking, are among the measures that could contribute to a greater uptake of environmentally friendly vehicles, as demonstrated by practices in other countries. It is also necessary to digitalize and simplify subsidy allocation procedures. Furthermore, public authorities and state-owned enterprises should serve as key drivers of the transition to eMobility by prioritizing zero-emission vehicles in public procurement processes,” Vasiljević added.
The expansion of the EV charging network is an important component of smart city development. NALED is also advancing this agenda through the project “Towards Smart, Green and Sustainable Cities in Serbia,” implemented together with GIZ and in cooperation with Intracom Telecom and TeleGroup under the develoPPP programme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). As part of the project, a solar-powered electric vehicle charging station is being piloted in Veliko Gradište as one of the showcased smart solutions.
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