With significant coverage of fast charging stations in Western Europe, Fastned is looking forward to showing teams how hassle-free EV charging can be along the route, and at their designated checkpoint. We find out more from Matthias Pletinckx about the team's planning and strategy
What has made you decide to get involved in GREENFLEET's first Europa EV Rally?
Fastned joined the rally last year by hosting a checkpoint in the UK. It was a great chance to show that fast charging can actually be a pleasant part of the journey. Drivers were surprised by how easy and welcoming the experience was, and that’s exactly what we aim for.
Now that the rally is heading into mainland Europe, where most of our network is located, it made perfect sense to get involved again. We’re passionate about helping more people switch to electric by showing that charging doesn’t have to be a hassle.
This event is the perfect opportunity to highlight how far EV infrastructure has come and to support drivers with fast, reliable charging along the way. We’re proud to be part of it.
Please tell us about your team - who is driving and in what vehicles?
It’ll be me and a colleague from our Belgian team sharing the trip. We’re both excited to take part, but we haven’t decided on the car just yet. We have very different preferences when it comes to vehicles. I lean more towards performance and fun, while he’s all about efficiency and comfort. So we’re still weighing our options.
One thing we’re not worried about, though, is range anxiety. With plenty of fast-charging options along the route, including many of our own, we know we’ll be covered, whatever we choose to drive.
The Rally will cover 1,300kms over five countries in Europe. Do you have a particular strategy to get you through the Rally smoothly?
Our main strategy is to keep it simple and stress-free and that starts with using the Fastned app. It makes planning the route incredibly easy. The app gives access to over 150,000 charging points across Europe, including plenty of fast chargers along the way.
What’s great is that it shows real-time availability, charging speeds, and connector types, not just for Fastned stations but many others too. That way, we can make smart choices on the go and stay flexible if plans shift.
Plus, we’ll get to test the charging experience the way our customers do — which is always a good reminder of where we can keep improving.
Fastned has significant coverage of charging stations in Western Europe where the rally is headed? But are there any areas where you think it might be a challenge to charge?
Overall, charging in Western Europe has become much easier in recent years. With solid coverage and smart navigation tools such as the Fastned app, planning a smooth EV trip is more doable than ever. That said, there are still some areas where infrastructure is catching up often due to local regulations that make it hard for charging point operators to build along certain highways.
In those cases, we might have to take a small detour off the main route. But honestly, that’s part of the adventure. And who knows, it could even lead us to some unexpected and scenic spots we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. The network is expanding quickly, and we’re excited to be part of that progress.
The rally is stopping at the Baraque de Fraiture Fastned Hub as a checkpoint on day three. What can teams expect there?
Baraque de Fraiture is actually one of our favourite stations. It was one of the first fast-charging stations we built in the French-speaking part of Belgium, a region that’s now quickly catching up in terms of fast-charging infrastructure. Yet, it remains one of the key go-to locations for EV drivers travelling through this part of Europe.
The station sits right in the heart of the Ardennes, surrounded by beautiful nature and some seriously fun driving roads. Depending on what EV you’re in, it could be the perfect stretch to enjoy the ride a little more.
And for those who remember a bit of their French: the name Baraque de Fraiture might give you a hint at a little something extra Fastned has planned for the teams. We’ll leave the full surprise for when you get there, but let’s just say it involves a tasty twist.
Why are events like the EV Rally important for driving up EV adoption throughout Europe?
Events like the EV Rally help show that electric driving is not just possible, but practical and fun. They break down myths around range and charging, highlight the progress of infrastructure, and let people experience the ease of EV travel first-hand.
Please tell us about the Fastned’s future plans?
Fastned is rapidly expanding its fast-charging network across Europe to accelerate the shift to electric mobility. Our goal is to build 1,000 fast-charging stations by 2030, up from over 340 active locations today. In early 2025, we opened our first station in Italy, marking our presence in eight countries, with plans to enter a ninth by the end of the year. Belgium continues to be an important growth market. We’re expanding quickly, both in Flanders and Wallonia, to meet rising demand and ensure drivers can rely on convenient, high-powered charging, wherever their journey takes them.
We're also investing in making charging stops more enjoyable by adding retail spaces and entertainment options at locations where it’s possible. Whether it’s grabbing a coffee, stretching your legs, or just enjoying the view, we want each stop to feel like a positive part of your trip.
To support this growth, we recently raised €36.5 million through a record bond issue. These funds will help us build more stations and enhance the EV charging experience.
We’re also proud to be part of the Spark alliance, a collaboration with other major charging operators to create Europe’s largest public charging network. Starting in June 2025, drivers will have access to 11,000 charging points across 25 countries, all through one app.
All Fastned stations run on 100% renewable electricity. Our mission is to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible for people to drive electric by providing fast, reliable, and sustainable charging where it matters most.
Through scale, partnerships, and user-first design, we’re building the infrastructure that powers Europe’s electric future.
About Matthias Pletinckx
Matthias Pletinckx joined Fastned in September 2024 as strategy & tender lead within network development and since February 2025 has become Country Director for Belgium, focusing on the sustainable growth of Fastned in the country. Before joining Fastned Matthias was active in last-mile delivery and as strategy consultant. Matthias loves that with Fastned, the company wants to make life better - from easing your daily commute, to making a roadtrip along Europe a really great experience. Fastned is a business for people powered through technology and infrastructure while shaping the future.