The Rise of EV Charging in Parking Spaces: LOM Law Prep in France
In this edition, we will explore the impact of the LOM law on EV charging infrastructure in France, examining how food retail, hospitality, and automotive sectors are adapting to new regulations and driving the growth of charging networks.
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Executive Summary
The Mobility Orientation Law (LOM) in France, effective January 1, 2025, requires parking lots with more than 20 spaces to equip at least 5% of their spots with EV charging stations. This regulation has driven significant investments across industries like food retail, hospitality, and automotive services. Food retail chains, such as Lidl and Carrefour, have taken the lead, thanks to their large parking areas and competitive pricing. Hotels and fast-food chains, especially McDonald’s, are expanding their presence by offering tailored charging solutions. Automotive services report the highest utilization rates. Meanwhile, retail and commercial locations continue to see steady demand. The growth reflects a balanced adjustment as industries comply with new regulations and prepare for the upcoming changes.
Introduction
The Mobility Orientation Law (LOM) will bring new requirements to public parking facilities, effective next month (Art. L. 111-3-5). By January 1, 2025, parking lots with more than 20 spaces must equip at least 5% of their spots with EV charging stations. Many industries, including parking operators, retail companies, hotels, and car dealerships, have already taken steps to meet this deadline. They have made substantial investments in deploying EV chargers. This analysis explores how EV charging infrastructure is being implemented across various brands and site types.
Brand distribution of EV charging deployment
As shown in the graph below, food retail leads in EV charger deployment in parking lots. This is due to large parking areas and the focus of LOM regulation. The retail sector, especially in fast-charging, has grown significantly in recent years, as noted in our September paper. EV drivers are drawn to these locations, where they can charge while shopping or having a coffee. Some brands, like Lidl, have integrated EV charging into their strategy, offering competitive prices. For example, Lidl charges €0.29 per kWh for AC and €0.39 for DC. In 2022, they installed a charger every two days, increasing to three per day in 2023. Lidl now operates over 4,500 chargers in France. Other brands, such as Carrefour, also offer free charging for the first hour and align their EV infrastructure with renewable energy goals.
The LOM law mandates that 5% of parking spaces be equipped with EV chargers, which has led parking operators in France to build large charging networks. However, other types of locations, such as hotels and car dealerships, also play a significant role in EV charger deployment. This trend reflects the growing adoption of EV-friendly strategies by hotels. By offering charging stations, hotels can attract guests, allowing them to recharge their vehicles overnight. Slow chargers are more affordable, making them a great option for the hospitality industry.
Evolution of location types
Food retail and parking operators have long dominated the market. But has this always been the case? We analyzed the market share evolution across various segments. As shown in the graph below, food retail has maintained a steady market share since 2017. The top three segments have remained relatively stable, while car dealerships have lost ground to hotels over the past year. Car dealerships were the first to install EV chargers, driven by the need to support new electric vehicles, especially the Renault ZOE. Over time, however, hotels and parking operators have taken the lead in EV charger deployment.
The fast-food sector is growing rapidly, even though it is not yet among the top five segments. In 2024, this sector experienced a 400% increase, largely driven by McDonald’s and its Izivia Fast network. This network now includes over 2,000 charging points across more than 700 McDonald’s parking lots.
Use rate of EV charging on Retail
To compare usage rates, we grouped all segments into three main location types: automotive services, retail & commercial, and hospitality & entertainment. Over the past two years, automotive-related locations, including car rentals, parking lots, and car dealerships, have remained the leaders in usage rates. This is likely due to the fact that these locations mainly offer AC chargers, which have longer charging times. Additionally, parking operators are better positioned for long-term parking, as EV drivers often leave their vehicles plugged in for extended periods.
The other two groups—hospitality & entertainment and retail & commercial—show similar trends. However, hospitality & entertainment has lost ground in the last quarter, while retail & commercial sectors have seen growth. Retail & commercial locations maintain an average usage rate of 5 to 6%. Despite massive charger deployment, significant growth has not been observed. This suggests that the increase in supply is closely aligned with the growing demand.
Conclusion
The LOM law is accelerating EV charging infrastructure adoption, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors. While food retail remains the dominant segment, the hospitality sector’s growth signals diversification. Despite widespread charger deployment, usage rates indicate that supply and demand are balanced, suggesting steady progress toward meeting the 2025 regulation requirements. Food retailers have seized this as a business opportunity, attracting and retaining customers with charging options and offers. Meanwhile, car dealerships have lost ground as new location types rapidly deploy EV chargers. With the LOM law coming into effect next month, major players are prepared to comply, although there remains uncertainty about whether all parking lots will meet the compliance deadline in January.
