We were lucky enough to visit Nice and Monaco last week. Two beautiful locations that even in winter seem both mystical and magical.
While our visit was for sporting reasons, we of course took time to check out:
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the road network,
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e-vehicles and charging stations,
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tunnels (of which there are many), and
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range of luxury cars.
Over dinner, which we had in a lovely Italian restaurant near the left side of the image above, our conversation turned to the boat e-charging facilities that were available for the super yachts directly outside.
Turns out these are the most expensive charging stations in the world.
How much?
We will get to that at the end, but for now have a quick guess in Euro on a per monthly basis:)
Charging stations and E vehicles in Monte Carlo
While there are luxury cars everywhere, it is pleasing to see e vehicle sales are also trending.
The Principality of Monaco offers 300 car charging station - free of charge.
Turns out four in 10 cars being registered are electric - 22.2% in Q2 of 2024 were fully electric, with a further 19.1% being hybrid.
Offering free charging, which saves around 10 Euro per 40-50km journey, is making a difference.
The good news is this is building on a strong upward trend which looks continue to grow.
So what is the price of using these boat e charging stations?
Well, if you guessed 1000 Euro a month you would be wrong, if you guessed 10,000 Euro, you would be wrong!
The answer: there is a sliding scale based on the size of your superyacht, but the maximum you will pay is 83,000 Euro a month.
Of course this is for the mooring of your yacht, and the charging comes with this, but it is a hefty price tag none the less.
Note: Have a super yacht and want to be environmentally friendly - great! - but don't rush there... rumour has it, there is a two year waiting period!
An Important lesson in affordability
We finished the conversation over dinner by discussing if this was a scheme that was equivalent to taxing the rich.
The table was undecided.
Either way, providing free e-charging is a benefit in itself for society and the environment, but on the 'Monaco On' network there are even more benefits.
Space if at a premium as Monaco is small - including parking. The charging points are very efficient, easily identifiable and most importantly, have the best places to park in town!
The transport question for this edition...
Bringing all of the above together, especially the location of e-charging stations being at the coolest, hippest, most convenient and trendiest places in Monaco...
Should we as transport/urban planners or decision makers give more attention to accessibility from e-charging stations and the facilities that can be accessed (eg restaurants, shops and high street trendy coffee cafes and boutique shopping!)?
Till next time,
Andrew
P.S. The Bond quote this week is easy because of our location - Casino Royale!, and courtesy of my wife, Kaewruethai who seems to think it might apply to me as well:
'Why is it that people who can't take advice always insist on giving it' James Bond
P.P.S. some photos from our World Pentathlon Exec Board meeting below.
Transit Trends · Andrew Collings, KA Advisory. Read and comment on the original on LinkedIn.
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