Although EU regulations and media focus are increasingly shifting toward fast DC charging stations, AC infrastructure (22 kW) remains crucial for urban mobility, tourist destinations, and overnight charging of electric vehicles. Based on the latest data, we present an analysis of the current state and future strategic directions for the development of AC charging stations in Croatia.

Current Network and Tourist Potential

There are currently over 400 AC charging stations in operation in cities and along the coast. Special emphasis is placed on hotel parking lots, shopping centers, and public institutions. Research shows that 90% of tourists with electric vehicles prefer accommodations with AC charging stations, which encourages hospitality providers to install “slow” chargers, often combined with free parking. Examples such as AC charging stations in national parks (Plitvice Lakes, Krk Island) illustrate how charging during visits (ranging from 4 to 6 hours) can significantly reduce the need for DC stations, especially in rural areas.

Regulatory Framework and Challenges

Regulatory incentives play an important role in the development of AC infrastructure. The government offers tax benefits by exempting companies from VAT when installing AC charging stations on private property (up to 50 kW capacity). However, only a small percentage of existing AC charging stations support Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, limiting the potential for grid stabilization. Additionally, the average utilization is only 1.2 charging sessions per station per day, indicating a need for further incentives and optimization of usage.

Investment Plans Until 2030

Plans for further development of AC infrastructure are focused on the following segments:

  • Urban Areas: Achieve a ratio of 1 AC charging station per 5,000 inhabitants, with financing from regional development funds.
  • Tourist Zones: Establish 150 new AC charging stations along the coast, supported by funds from relevant programs.
  • Corporate Sector: Install 2,000 operational AC charging stations for company vehicles, with subsidies for green transformation.

AC infrastructure will be key to meeting EU emission reduction targets in cities – Zagreb and Split must achieve an appropriate ratio of AC charging stations relative to the number of electric vehicles.

Technical Recommendations for Optimization

To increase the efficiency and utilization of AC charging stations, the following measures are proposed:

  • Dynamic Power Management: Integrating charging stations into smart grids via the OpenADR protocol can reduce the load by up to 30% during peak periods.
  • Modular Design: Systems such as Wallbox Pulsar Plus allow upgrading existing stations from 11 kW to 22 kW without replacing the core infrastructure.
  • Cross-Subsidization: A model in which revenue from DC charging is used to finance the development of the AC network, which is currently being tested in certain regions.

“AC charging stations are not just a ‘slow alternative’ – they are the foundation for 24-hour availability of charging in all urban areas.”
– HGK Report for 2025

Conclusion

Despite the dominance of DC technology in the media, the AC network remains an integral part of Croatia’s energy transition. It is especially important for overnight charging, fleet management, and decentralized energy production. The key challenge for the future is to balance incentives between fast and slow infrastructures to ensure sustainable and efficient mobility.

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