Questions and answers about charging stations for electric cars in Zoetermeer

Zoetermeer has more than 600 charging stations scattered throughout the city with a total of nearly 1,200 charging points.

Yes, new charging stations are being added all the time. This is done based on usage data (data-driven) and requests from residents. The municipality makes proposals for new locations. These locations are shown on a map and are chosen so that they are well distributed throughout the city and easy to find. This way the charging stations can be used optimally.

Yes, residents can contribute ideas about new charging pole locations. On doemee.zoetermeer.nl there is a map with the proposed locations. If there are new proposed locations, you can respond there. The municipality will take these responses into account when determining the final locations. After that, the proposed spots will appear on the final location map on the website.

Each chosen spot will have 2 on-street parking spaces. There will be one charging station there. With that charging station, 2 cars can charge at the same time. When the charging station is in place, these parking spaces may only be used to charge electric cars.

We look at how often charging stations are used in the neighborhood. Most importantly, the municipality expects a new charging station to provide at least 2,000 kWh of electricity per year. Only then do we order the charging station to be installed. The municipality also looks at where there are power lines and where there are trees. If possible, we take into account how busy parking is near the charging station. We try to place the charging station so that residents are inconvenienced as little as possible.

No, you can't. Once the final location map with locations has been determined, residents who wish to apply will be able to see where the nearest charging station will be placed on this location map.

You can apply for a charging station through laadpaalnodig.nl - apply directly online for a charging station in your municipality. At laadpaalnodig.nl you answer a number of questions (requirements and conditions) and fill in your data. The application is then reviewed. If the assessment is positive, the municipality takes a traffic decree for each charge post.

Installing a charging station in public spaces requires time and attention. There is usually a period of 6 to 9 months between the application and the installation of the charging station. Many parties are involved in placing a charging station: the municipality, the grid operator, the charging station operator and the contractor/installer. The municipality looks for a suitable location and considers the criteria for placement. The grid operator checks all cables and pipes in the ground.

Yes, you can. Designating a parking space for electric cars requires a traffic decree. This decision is made public at www.officielebekendmakingen.nl. Anyone can object within 6 weeks.

Yes, we take parking pressure into account. High parking pressure is not a reason not to install a charging station. Especially in busy neighborhoods it is important that electric drivers can recharge. If we place charging stations only in quiet areas, busy residential areas - where demand is often high - will be short-changed.

We know that in some places it is difficult to find a parking spot. Therefore, we choose new charging station locations as much as possible on the edge of the parking area.

If a charging station is used more often, the impact on parking pressure decreases. The parking spaces near the charging station are then better utilized.

More charging stations does not automatically mean more parking pressure. We reserve additional spots only if charging data shows that more charging spots are really needed.

No, you do not have to co-pay. The costs for installing charging stations are paid by the market party (concessionaire). You do pay electricity costs for charging.

The costs for charging are settled through the energy supplier you choose. The municipality of Zoetermeer plays no role in this.

An ordinary charging station has a capacity of up to 22 kilowatts (kW). Charging the battery to full takes several hours.

No, you may not. If you purchased a charging station yourself, you may not place it in the public space. You may, however, place the charging station entirely on your own property and charge it on your own property.

Yes, you may do so as of Jan. 1, 2026. The City Council has updated and adopted the Charging Vision. It states that from that date you may charge your electric car in a public parking lot with your own electricity, via a cable in the public space. This is called an "extended private connection.

There will be conditions for this method of charging. The municipality is working on these now. By January 1, 2026, we will announce these conditions so that everyone knows what the rules are.

On the website of the municipality of Zoetermeer, under'Electric transport', you can see on the location map where all public charging stations are located: Location map charge posts. This includes all charging stations in Zoetermeer.

No, the public parking lots with a charging station are for anyone with an electric car. Anyone may charge the electric car there.

The rule is: parking is allowed except when prohibited or restricted. This is always written on a sign. For charging spots, we use a blue rectangular sign with a symbol of a plug and a P. There are also signs with a P and a car on it. The latter sign has an under sign with "electric charging station" or "electric cars. If there is no sign at a charging station, anyone may park there.

You may park your electric car in a charging spot only while you are charging. Is your car full? Then you must clear the spot so others can charge. The only exception is at night: from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.

No, you can charge the battery of an electric scooter at bicycle charging stations. You can find these spots at www.oplaadpalen.nl.

More information on this topic can be found at www.zoetermeer.nl/elektrischvervoer.

In case of a malfunction, you can call the number on the charging station: 088-484 8670. You will immediately get a technician on the line. He will ask for the pole number (EVB-P) on the charging station. Often the technician can solve the problem remotely.