Electric charging in the city: great in Zurich, terrible in St. Gallen
The TCS examined forty parking lots for electric cars in the eight largest Swiss cities.
"Zurich is the best place to charge your car." Parking your electric car and being able to charge it at the same time is what you expect from investing in renewable energy. But you still have to choose your spot carefully. Because, according to the TCS, the parking experience varies from city to city, and even between parking lots within the same city. Forty parking lots equipped for electric cars in the eight largest Swiss cities were examined.
Zurich easily takes first place in the national ranking, with "consistent quality across all its parking lots: clear signage, sufficient charging stations, modern and easily accessible facilities." Even better: the stations are equipped with charging cables. In total, only 10 of the 40 facilities tested across the country offer this added value.
In Bern, the parking lot near the train station ranks last, dragging the overall ranking down. In the capital, which ranks third, only one charging station is advertised online, but it was nowhere to be found during the TCS test.
A maximum of 100 points could be awarded per car park. An "excellent" rating would have been awarded for 80 points or more.
Geneva and Lausanne climbed to fifth and sixth place respectively. Plainpalais, Balexert, Cornavin, Indigo Centre-Flon, Riponne, and Métropole were analyzed. "Some parking lots are well-equipped, but others have serious shortcomings. This heterogeneity impacts the average score for these cities," comments Jordan Girod, spokesperson for the TCS.
St. Gallen brings up the rear. The overwhelming majority of parking lots tested clearly do not meet demand, according to the TCS, and several of them do not even offer any charging stations.
"Much more charging options are needed to meet the needs of a vehicle fleet composed of 4% electric cars," estimates the TCS. And, "to improve the parking experience, an effort from operators is necessary." The Touring Club Suisse recommends, in particular, that payment via Twint or credit card be possible everywhere, and suggests that cities make an overview of charging stations available online.
But according to Jordan Girod, nothing is definitive. "Switzerland has more than 16,500 public charging stations. The Confederation is aiming for 20,000 points by the end of 2025. The situation observed to date is expected to evolve in the coming months and years," he concludes.
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