Electric mobility is destined to become an increasingly important part of our way of life. But is the Brussels electricity grid up to the challenge? Can it handle these evolutions?
In 2022, 34% of vehicles sold were electric, an impressive jump from the modest 5% in 2018.
According to a study by Baringa which was updated in 2023, our capital could boast up to 500,000 electric vehicles by 2050. And taking into account the Region's Low Emission Zone policy, this target could be reached as early as 2035!
New challenges for the grid
With the arrival of electric vehicles, the grid must cope with peaks in consumption due to battery charging. Currently, the grid has sufficient reserve capacity to handle the conversion of the car fleet envisaged in Brussels between now and 2030.
But we need to remain vigilant. In the future, the grid will only be able to support this growth if vehicle charging is well distributed in time and space, and the investment in modernisation continues.
Ensuring the security of supply
With this in mind, we are already working tirelessly to reinforce the grid and optimise the existing infrastructure. Between now and 2029, more than €500 million will be invested in the grid.
We are also studying all the options available to us to avoid excessive investment after 2030. Among other things, it is essential that we have mechanisms to encourage customers to moderate their electricity needs or smooth out their consumption peaks, such as smart charging management.
We also need to put solutions in place to optimise charging, taking into account the renewable energy generated and injected into the grid. Smart meters have an important role to play in this regard. By giving us better insight into the energy flows passing through the grid, smart meters are a crucial element in efficiently managing resources.
230V is enough for electric cars
230V is in no way an obstacle to the deployment of electric vehicles. As in other major European cities, the Brussels grid’s voltage is mainly 230 volts. This voltage enables drivers to charge the equivalent of 20 km at 7.4 kW in the space of 30 to 60 minutes (the average daily commute of a Brussels resident). Any electric car can also be fully charged from 0 to 100% overnight at this voltage.
Oslo, a city comparable to Brussels
Did you know that in Oslo, a pioneer in electric mobility, over 90% of the vehicles sold are electric? And nevertheless, Oslo's grid is generally comparable to the one in Brussels, primarily operating on 230V.
3,000 electric cabinets for rapid charging
At the same time, all the rapid charging points placed on the road in strategic high-rotation areas (e.g. shopping streets, etc.) will be directly connected to 400 volts via the grid or one of our 3,000 cabinets, spread across the region.
Furthermore, Sibelga is giving priority to 400 colts for major renovations or new connections, enabling a smooth transition without any major financial impact for the people of Brussels.