Charging incidents in Finland attributed to equipment issues, reveals Virta data

Over 90% of charging incidents are caused by the charging equipment itself, according to data from Virta, a platform provider, which is based on more than 100,000 charging stations across Finland. Virta’s chargers make up nearly half of all public charging points in the country. The percentage of failed charging attempts among initiated sessions is relatively low, noted Virta’s Director of Public Relations, Eemil Rauma. Breakdown of a charging point can occur due to equipment malfunction, user stress, or issues with the internet connection. However, connections in Finland generally function well.

Problems can also arise from improper connections or extreme temperature fluctuations throughout the year, which stress the charging stations. Usage of stations varies significantly; one station may be used 20 times a day while another only twice.

Historically, older charging points lacked smart connectivity, preventing remote management. Today, however, all of Virta’s stations are equipped with smart technology, allowing remote diagnostics and troubleshooting. It is rare for a charging point to be entirely unserviceable without remote intervention; service personnel are dispatched when necessary.

Electric vehicle owners like Elina Ihanus often face challenges, such as dysfunctional charging points, especially during busy travel times or harsh weather. Despite this, she primarily charges her vehicle at home but utilizes public stations during trips.

Anders Kronqvist, another electric vehicle user, reported success with finding charging stations nearby, although smaller towns present planning challenges. Overall, the charging infrastructure in Finland is steadily improving, providing more options and better technology. Visitors like Lena Ostberg and Per Nordmoen suggest that while Finland still requires more charging stations, the situation is enhancing over time, especially compared to Norway.