St. Petersburg has emerged as the leading city in Russia for the growth of the electric charging network. This assessment comes from a briefing shared with socialbites.ca by the press service of the 2GIS cartographic platform. The city showcases a rapid expansion in charging infrastructure, reflecting broader shifts toward electric mobility and the role of mapping services in guiding drivers to available options.
From April 2023 to January 2024, the number of electric charging stations in St. Petersburg rose by 83 percent, bringing the total to 168 stations. This surge highlights the city’s prioritization of electric vehicle (EV) charging access and demonstrates how rapidly the charging landscape can evolve in a major urban center when supported by coordinated planning and data-driven tools. The trend underscores a broader push within Russia to expand charging networks in response to rising EV ownership and utilization.
Nizhny Novgorod ranks second in terms of growth, with the expansion of charging points reaching 84 units, a 79 percent increase over the nine-month period. In Moscow, the growth rate stands at 46 percent with 437 units added; while the capital maintains the largest absolute number of charging stations in the country, its new- station growth remains comparatively steadier. These figures illustrate how regional dynamics vary, with some cities achieving rapid increases through targeted deployment while others build on already substantial networks.
Completing the top five by growth are Krasnoyarsk with 106 new units, up 10 percent, and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk recording 121 new units, up 8 percent. Together, these cities reflect a nationwide expansion pattern where mid-sized and larger urban centers contribute materially to the overall charging capacity, even as larger metropolises balance new installations with existing infrastructure. Such data points help map users to practical charging options and reveal how local policy and private sector involvement shape expansion trajectories.
The charging platform offers a detailed view of EV charging stations on a map, with ongoing enhancements to the data feed. Users can access information about charging costs, connector types, and charging power. The service is set to add real-time availability, which will further improve trip planning and reduce range anxiety for drivers relying on EVs. This ongoing development demonstrates the importance of live data in helping EV owners select suitable stations and verify current accessibility before starting a journey. Marked citations to data providers and official releases support these observations and provide a reference point for understanding how the network evolves over time.
According to 2GIS, as of January 2024, public charging stations operate in more than 500 cities and towns across Russia, with the total count reaching 3,225 units. This nationwide footprint reflects a concerted effort by public authorities, utilities, and private developers to normalize EV charging as a routine part of city infrastructure. The broader market dynamics indicate that both urban centers and regional hubs contribute to a more resilient and accessible charging network, helping to reduce the friction associated with EV adoption and usage.
In related commentary, an automobile specialist named Subbotin discussed concerns around the disadvantages of buying electric vehicles in Russia. The discussion highlights ongoing debates about cost, maintenance, and infrastructure readiness, all of which influence consumer decisions and policy considerations. Readers seeking a balanced view should weigh affordability, charging availability, and total cost of ownership when evaluating EV options within the national context. The evolving landscape suggests that informed decisions will increasingly rely on reliable data about charging accessibility, vehicle performance, and the reliability of the grid to support high-demand charging periods, especially during peak travel seasons and in rapidly growing urban zones.