site.btaUPDATED Transport Minister Says 35 Electric Charging Stations Will Be Built in Regional Cities' Railway Stations "Within Few Months"

Within a few months, 35 electric charging stations will be built at railway stations in the regional cities, Transport Minister Grozdan Karadjov said to journalists at the Council of Ministers on Thursday.

This is made possible following the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation and Partnership between the National Railway Infrastructure Company, the Electricity System Operator, and ESO Charge earlier on Thursday.

The stations will enable free movement of passengers across the country and support the transition to cleaner, low-emission transport, which Bulgaria is striving for, Karadjov added. He also noted that charging stations are planned for all 249 railway stations in the country.

According to him, the signed memorandum is not just a political document, but a concrete commitment with visible results expected very soon. “We chose railway stations – where road and rail transport meet,” said the Minister. The project will use the existing power grid, and the charging stations will offer the lowest charging prices for electric vehicle users.

Karadjov also said that charging stations are planned along the Struma Motorway. “This will not be our only joint project. There are already two more in preparation, and once we have finalized the documents and plans, they will be announced,” he noted. According to him, joining efforts in transport and energy yields much greater impact than either sector could achieve alone.

“The signing of this memorandum is an example of how a partnership between the energy and transport sectors can deliver real results. We are launching a strategic partnership, and railway infrastructure is becoming a future foundation of electric stability,” the Transport Minister stated.

The charging stations will have high capacity – 600 kilowatts, allowing for fast charging and quick turnover, so the next driver can use the station, said Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov. The stations will also be able to charge large buses.