Israel Approves National EV Charger Database, but Reporting Won't Cover Every Operator

The Knesset Economic Committee on Tuesday approved the creation of Israel’s official real-time database showing the status of electric vehicle charging stations. Under the new regulations, operators of public charging points will have to send usage data to the Energy Ministry, which will publish it to the public.

The database is meant to provide an open, nationwide map of charging stations that includes all charging providers. Today, the Energy Ministry already runs a similar map, but it does not cover every operator. The new system will be free for drivers to use, while charging providers will have to pay the state for access to the database.

Drivers will be able to see the price per kilowatt-hour and whether a charging point is currently occupied, instead of relying on each operator’s separate app. The committee also discussed a separate issue, noting that from next month charging operators will have to display the kWh price on the charger screen and accept credit card payments, although fast-charging stations will get an extension until 2028 to install card terminals.

During the debate, it emerged that the reporting requirement will not apply to all companies. Periodic reporting will cover charger importers, large installers, charging and charge-management companies, and owners of more than 500 charging stations, or providers with at least 10 sockets. Smaller public charging companies with fewer than 500 stations will not be required to report, in order, as stated in the committee, to avoid creating a bureaucratic burden on market players.