Almost three-quarters of car charging points in Europe are located in just three EU countries, according to the industry trade body’s findings, highlighting the “imbalance” of the region’s electric vehicle network.

ACEA, which represents European carmakers, has warned poorer countries with fewer charging points risk being left behind by bloc-wide rules issued by Brussels that will lead to increased sales of electric cars later this decade.

Its findings show that the Netherlands has 66,665 charging points, or 30% of the entire EU network, while France and Germany each have around 45,000. The three of them they have 70 percent of the network. Romania, on the other hand, has only 493 points, while Lithuania has 174.

The body warned that “a two-track infrastructure deployment is developing along the dividing lines between the wealthiest EU member states in Western Europe and countries with lower GDP in Eastern Europe, central and southern “.

The European Commission will publish its latest rules for cutting carbon emissions in the automotive industry next month, and is expected to significantly tighten current requirements significantly.

Automakers, including Volkswagen and Peugeot owner Stellantis, have invested billions in new electric cars to comply with existing rules, which came into effect last year.

The industry is already expecting to dramatically increase production over the decade to keep pace with both growing consumer demand and new emissions rules.

Under the current rules, car manufacturers must reduce the CO2 emissions of their fleets by 37.5% by 2030 or face heavy fines. The new requirement is expected to reach 50 percent, which would significantly increase the number of electric vehicles sold in Europe.

If the target is raised to 50 percent, a figure backed by environmental groups, then the region needs around 6 million public charging points, according to the commission’s calculations. This compares to the 225,000 currently available.

ACEA wants any change in electric vehicle rules to include country-specific charging point targets.

Managing Director Eric-Mark Huitema said: “Anyone who wants to buy an electric or fuel cell car depends on a reliable charging or refueling infrastructure, whether at home, at work and on the road.

“Now is the time for governments across Europe to step up in the race for greener mobility. “

Electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles made up 10% of all cars sold in the EU last year, according to ACEA figures. Germany with 194,000 was the largest market for battery cars, with 111,000 in France and 73,000 in the Netherlands.

The UK, which is no longer a member of the EU and is not included in the figures, had sales of 108,000, ACEA said.