New rules governing the inspection of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations will come into force in Kazakhstan on December, 1. Member of Parliament Olzhas Nuraldinov has expressed concern that the additional costs incurred by operators could lead to higher charging prices for EV drivers, El.kz reports.
Why are the new rules being introduced ?
Under the new rules, the state will verify not only the amount of electricity delivered to a vehicle, but also the voltage, current and charging time.
According to Olzhas Nuraldinov, the inspection and certification of a single type of charging stations could cost approximately 2 million tenge. These costs will be borne by operators, which may pass them on to customers through higher charging fees.
At the same time, the MP notes that questions remain regarding the procedures for conducting inspections and the methodology to be used for measurements.
Why have concerns arisen?
Olzhas Nuraldinov compared the new requirements with the operation of conventional petrol stations. At petrol stations, inspections focus on the number of litres of fuel dispensed to a driver. The speed of refuelling and the time spent at the pump are not subject to separate controls.
The situation is more complex with electric vehicles. Charging speed depends on the vehicle itself, battery temperature and the battery’s state of charge. As a result, even the same vehicle may charge at different power levels under different conditions.
The MP believes that operators should not be required to bear additional costs for monitoring parameters that depend not only on the charging station but also on the vehicle.
Will charging costs increase for drivers?
An increase in prices is not yet certain. However, if operators incur higher inspection costs, they may revise their tariffs for customers.
At the same time, equipment inspections are also important for consumers. They help verify the accuracy of measurements and the amount of electricity for which a driver is charged. The key question is whether the additional inspections are necessary and whether their benefits justify the associated costs.
What is the MP proposing?
Olzhas Nuraldinov has proposed reviewing the new requirements and prioritising checks on the amount of electricity delivered to consumers. He has also called for clear inspection procedures to be established and for the benefits of additional checks for EV owners to be explained.
The MP has urged the relevant authorities to address these issues before the new rules enter into force. For now, drivers can only monitor charging network tariffs, as any potential price increases will depend on the decisions made by operators.
