Europe’s biggest network of fast-charge stations for electric cars will be built in Estonia by the end of 2012. The charging station model chosen for the project, the Terra 51 DC fast charger, can fill up an electric vehicle in 15-30 minutes. Estonia’s plan is to space these fast chargers a maximum of 50 kilometers apart along main roads to eliminate drivers’ concerns about the maximum range of their electric cars.

The growing number of electric vehicles is driving a global market opportunity for charging solutions, including sophisticated monitoring systems and software to support the electric grid. Earlier in the year, the Estonian government started its push for a better EV charging network, providing 507 Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric cars to social workers around the country. In addition, Estonia offers subsidies of up to 50 percent for private EV purchases.

“The Estonian government would like to ensure that driving an EV in Estonia is as comfortable and safe as driving any other car,” said Jarmo Tuisk, director of the Innovation and Technology Division at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, which offers more information about the Electric Mobility Programme for Estonia.

Investments in Estonia’s electric mobility are financed by the Green Investment Scheme, funded by the export credit agency KredEx as part of the national government’s plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.