The Lithuanian Competition Council has conducted a thorough monitoring of the electric vehicle (EV) charging sector and has released recommendations aimed at municipalities and relevant ministries to foster competition and protect consumer interests.

Findings from the monitoring indicated that municipalities significantly influence the EV charging market, sometimes entering it under more favorable conditions than private companies. The Council emphasized the need for municipalities to evaluate their market participation's impact on private enterprises and the overall market structure.

To enhance competition, the Council advised municipalities to conduct transparent tenders for charging station operators after the mandatory free service period ends. This would facilitate private sector entry into the market. Recommendations included ensuring transparency in tender processes, considering smaller tender lots to increase competition, and establishing clear selection criteria that benefit consumers.

The report also highlighted the importance of appropriate contract durations and cautioned against automatic renewals without competitive bidding. The Council believes that these pro-competitive measures will lead to better service conditions for EV users in the long run.

To assist municipalities, the Competition Council suggested that the Ministry of Transport and Communications develop best practice guidelines and create a centralized platform for public access to tender information. Additionally, the lengthy process of connecting charging stations to the power grid was identified as a major barrier to market growth, prompting the Council to recommend that the Ministry of Energy explore ways to streamline this process.

The Competition Council's monitoring involved interviews with market participants, data collection from municipalities, and analysis of legal requirements and European competition studies. The draft conclusions were refined based on stakeholder feedback, and the Council plans to continue monitoring the sector and may initiate further investigations if competition law violations are suspected.