EV charging points multiply in Latvia, but ease of use still lags

Latvia's electric vehicle charging infrastructure has expanded significantly in recent years, both in coverage and power output, and charging availability itself is no longer considered a major obstacle to driving an EV. However, the variety of operators means drivers may need different apps, cards or payment methods depending on where they charge, which can be confusing—especially for less experienced EV owners at the moment of payment.

Payment complexity and new rules

Depending on the operator, a driver might need a separate app, a charging card, or a postpaid billing arrangement. The payment platform Mobilly aims to reduce this fragmentation by combining multiple charging providers within a single app; in Latvia, it currently supports payment at more than 1,340 stations. Separately, the EU's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) requires that public charging points installed since April 2024 allow one-off payment without registration, for example via bank card or contactless payment. From January 2027, similar requirements will extend to higher-power charging points installed earlier along major TEN-T road corridors, though not to all existing stations.

Pricing depends not only on a station's power output but also on its location, time of day and local demand, meaning costs can vary even between stations of similar capacity. Mobilly's app lets users check a station's price before starting a charge. The company says its app already covers more than 2,450 stations across six countries, with an ambition to become a unified payment point for EV charging across Europe.

Electric car numbers keep climbing

According to Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), 881 electric passenger cars were newly registered in Latvia in July 2026—a monthly record, up 18% from June and 23% from July 2025. Electric vehicles accounted for 12.8% of all newly registered passenger cars that month. Tesla, Volkswagen and Audi were the top brands overall, while Toyota and BYD led among new EVs. The growth comes as state EKII purchase support for electric vehicles has again become available.