Questions and answers about charging stations for electric cars in Zoetermeer

In Zoetermeer there are approximately 500 public charging stations spread throughout the city with a total of 879 public charging points.

Yes, that is the intention for the future. We will communicate about new proposals via the newspaper, website and social media.

Yes, as soon as the municipality intends to expand the existing network, you can respond to the proposed locations via a map on doemee.zoetermeer.nl . Residents will be notified via Het Streekblad , the municipal website and the social media channels of this. The municipality will take your input into account to determine the final locations. The final locations will be included in the map with charging points placed.

Each intended location consists of 2 parking spaces (or sometimes four) in the public space, where one charging station can be placed to supply 2 cars with power. When placing the charging station, these 2 parking spaces may only be used to charge the electric car. The charging station will only be placed if there is an application.

Based on testing (post follows car), the use of charging stations in the immediate surrounding area is taken into account. The leading criterion here is that the municipality expects an annual consumption of 2,000 kWh (charging data) per charging point per year or more on the charging station for which the order is given for installation.

Once the final map with locations has been established, residents who wish to submit an application can see on this map where the nearest charging station will be placed.

You can submit a request for a charging station via laadpaalnodig.nl - request a charging station in your municipality directly online . At laadpaalnodig.nl you have to answer a number of questions (requirements and conditions) and provide your details. The application is then assessed. After a positive assessment, a traffic decision will be made for each charging station.

The lead time for installing a new public charging station to which no objection has been received is at least 6 months.

We are aware of the parking pressure that is present in some places in the city. That is why we always look for new charging station locations, which are located a bit on the edge of the parking area. If the charging station is used more, the effect of a charging station on the parking pressure will decrease. The parking spaces at the charging station are then used more efficiently. More charging stations do not immediately mean an increase in the parking pressure. The number of reserved parking spaces is only expanded if, based on the charging data, there is actually a need for additional charging spots.

The municipality pays the cost of installing a charging station. For charging, however, you do pay the cost of electricity. In Zoetermeer, the tariff of €0.40 (excl. 21% VAT) per kWh will apply from January 1, 2025. When using the EQUANS charge card, no additional costs (such as start-up or transaction costs) will be charged. For more information, please refer to Rate Information - Municipality of Zoetermeer - Charging Pole Needed - Apply directly online for a charging pole in your municipality.

Settlement of the electricity costs takes place with the energy supplier that you have chosen yourself. The municipality of Zoetermeer is not involved in this.

No, the municipality of Zoetermeer does not determine the charging rates directly. In our region, we as the municipality of Zoetermeer work with the Province of South Holland and grid operators to have sufficient charging points on the street, at sports clubs, shopping areas or business parks. The Province of South Holland helps with knowledge, data and coordination between municipalities and contacts with grid operators. Municipality of Zoetermeer remains ultimately responsible for the placement and policy surrounding charging points. Municipalities and provinces work together to ensure fair rates and safe, smart charging solutions - also in the future. Thanks to the collaboration, charging points are being added in more and more places. In the Southwest region, 25,000 charging points have already been installed (May 2025).

With standard charging, a charging point has a capacity of up to 22 kilowatts (kW). Charging to maximum battery capacity takes several hours.

No, if you have purchased an electric charging station at your own expense, it is NOT permitted to place it in public space. You can place this electric charging station on your own property and also charge on your own property. It is not permitted to charge with a cable over public space.

In a number of cases, the municipality of Zoetermeer has issued a temporary permit for placing a cable in public space. You must then meet a number of conditions:

• You have previously had a permit. You applied for a permit before July 1, 2021
• and you can demonstrate by means of an invoice and bank statement that you invested in charging facilities before 1 July 2021 that can be attributed exclusively to the use of a charging facility from the home to your vehicle.

This means that you will not receive a permit if you invested in facilities to charge your vehicle with a cable after July 1, 2021.

On the map with charging points you can see where electric charging stations are located in the municipality of Zoetermeer. It is also indicated whether the electric charging station is free or occupied. This concerns ALL public charging stations present in Zoetermeer.

No, public parking lots where electric charging stations are installed are for general use. Everyone is allowed to charge their electric car there.

The standard rule is: 'Parking in parking spaces is allowed, unless it is prohibited or restricted'. This prohibition or restriction must be indicated by a sign. The signs used to indicate that the parking space may only be used to charge electric cars look like this: a rectangular blue sign with a white P and possibly a car on it. The sign itself or a sub-sign indicates 'electric charging point' or 'electric cars'. If there is no sign at a charging station, parking is permitted for any vehicle.

No, you can charge the battery of electric scooters at charging points for bicycles. You can also find these places at www.oplaadpalen.nl .

Useful links

• Elaad.nl

To download

Charging vision Zoetermeer (pdf)