Government plans 1,200 new EV chargers amid slow growth in Malta’s public infrastructure

A project launched last year aims to increase the number of EV chargers significantly, with 1,200 additional charging points expected to be installed by the end of this year.

If this target is met, the total number of charging points across the islands will rise to 1,572.

Additionally, Malta and Gozo currently have 408 electric vehicle (EV) charging points available for public use, with 16 of these being privately owned.

This was confirmed by Minister for the Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour Miriam Dalli in response to a parliamentary question.

However, despite the planned expansion, public charging infrastructure remains a key barrier to widespread EV adoption in Malta. The number of charging bays has stagnated in recent years, with 372 points available in 2023 and 362 in May 2022.

Data from the National Statistics Office (NSO) for Q3 2024 shows that petrol-powered engines still dominate Malta’s vehicle landscape, making up 58.4 per cent of the total, followed by diesel engines at 35.3 per cent. Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles account for just 3.6 per cent, despite various Government incentives aimed at boosting adoption.

To address some of these issues, Dr Dalli had revealed that public tenders for additional charging pillars are ongoing, allowing new operators to enter the market alongside the existing contractor.

Additionally, a national platform is in development that will enable EV owners to use charging points from different operators seamlessly through a unified system. This initiative aims to simplify the charging process and enhance accessibility for EV users across the country.