On Friday, June 27, 2025, Côte d’Ivoire marked a major milestone in the development of electric vehicle infrastructure with the inauguration of its largest electric vehicle charging station. Located in the Gandhi neighborhood of Yopougon, in the western part of Abidjan, this station is part of the network deployed by the Ivorian oil group Petro Ivoire, which continues its national expansion strategy after launching its first fast charger in July 2024 in Cocody.
A National Policy to Expand Charging Stations
Since launching the first fast charger at the Saint-Jacques station in Cocody, Petro Ivoire has multiplied installations at several strategic sites across Abidjan, including Abatta (Cocody), Rimco (Marcory), and now Yopougon-Gandhi. This latest station is now the largest in Côte d’Ivoire, significantly strengthening the charging capacity for electric vehicles in the economic capital.
International Context: Comparison with the World’s Largest Stations
On a global scale, the largest electric vehicle charging station is not in Côte d’Ivoire but in Germany, in the small town of Merklingen, which has 259 charging points, even surpassing the giant Shell station in Shenzhen, China, with 258 charging points. However, the Ivorian station is part of a regional and continental dynamic to develop electric infrastructure, essential to support the growth of the electric vehicle fleet.
Importance of These Infrastructures for Sustainable Mobility in Côte d’Ivoire
With the gradual increase in electric vehicles, the availability of reliable and accessible charging stations is crucial to encourage the energy transition. Côte d’Ivoire, through Petro Ivoire, is responding to this need by installing fast chargers and multiplying charging points, making it easier for individuals and professionals to adopt electric vehicles.
Future Perspectives and Challenges
While the expansion of charging stations is promising, challenges remain, especially regarding charging power, user costs, and integration of renewable energy. Like the German station equipped with photovoltaic panels, Côte d’Ivoire could consider similar solutions to make charging more sustainable and affordable. Developing such infrastructure is a key issue to support clean mobility and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
