For the benefit of charging stations: Gas stations will be able to expand by 100 sqm

The Planning Administration and the Ministry of Energy have approved a plan allowing gas stations to expand by 100 square meters for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including covered waiting areas for drivers and bureaucratic relief through an exemption from submitting a hydrological-environmental document.

The Planning Administration and the Ministry of Energy have approved a plan allowing gas stations to expand by 100 square meters for the establishment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The additional space is intended for electrical rooms, transformers, and transformation and switching facilities, at stations with at least five fast-charging points. The plan also allows for the establishment of such facilities in "enclosed areas" at interchanges. Another innovation is the possibility of creating covered waiting areas for drivers, which can be integrated into the stations' commercial spaces. The plan eases licensing procedures through an exemption from submitting a hydrological-environmental document for plans that include only charging stations. The Director General of the Planning Administration, Rafi Elmaleh, said the move is intended to remove bureaucratic barriers and accelerate the establishment of fast-charging stations.