The inaugural fast electric charging station began operating in Lipetsk, according to Sber’s press service. This milestone marks a notable step forward in the adoption of rapid charging for electric vehicles across the region.
Unlike conventional charging setups where drivers often wait hours or even a full day for a full charge, fast chargers can bring an EV battery to about 80% in roughly 20 minutes. That speed makes long trips and daily commutes more practical for electric car owners, expanding the utility of EV ownership in everyday life.
“Today we are launching a pivotal project to advance environmentally friendly transportation in our country and opening Lipetsk’s first electric charging station. In the near future, we plan to install 10 additional fast charging stations, each delivering 150 kW, which will enable charging for more than 330 vehicles each day,” stated Stanislav Kuznetsov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sberbank.
To charge a vehicle, owners can download the ChargeService app on their mobile devices. The app provides directions to the desired charging station, shows real-time availability, and allows users to reserve charging slots in advance, making the process smoother and more predictable.
“The Lipetsk region stands out as a leader in the development of environmentally friendly transport. We operate a facility that produces Evolute-brand electric cars, recognized as Russia’s top electric vehicle. Their practicality and cost efficiency have won broad support across the market,” noted Igor Artamonov, the Lipetsk Region Governor.
The installation, wiring, and ongoing maintenance of the entire charging infrastructure will be handled by SberService. The regional power plant project began in 2023 through a collaboration between Sberbank and the Lipetsk regional government, built on an agreement signed at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The collaboration aims to expand charging capacity and promote green energy solutions in the region.
“For SberService, the priority was not only to back the shift toward green technologies but also to actively contribute to their broader development. This year marks the introduction of the first 11 electric charging stations, and the ambition is to extend the network across the Central Black Earth region while continuing to scale up local charging infrastructure,” commented Alexey Evtushenko, General Director of SberService.
The electric charging station frame is assembled by PSS Corporation, a Perm-based electrical equipment manufacturer. The station includes components that are largely developed and manufactured within Russia, with 85% of parts produced domestically, ranging from housings to connectors and microcircuits. This emphasis on domestic production supports local industry and aims to improve supply chain resilience for EV infrastructure in the region.