The installation and operation of electric vehicle charging stations on the Istanbul-Izmir Highway triggered the Competition Authority. on the highway Oxygen Highway Operation and Maintenance Inc. and ZES Digital Trade Inc., the sole operators of the named service facilities, are being investigated for allegations of competition violations in charging network operation.
The Competition Authority opened an investigation against Highway Operation and Maintenance Inc. and ZES Digital Trade Inc.!
The focus of the investigation is on allegations that Highway Operation and Maintenance Inc. has monopolized the installation and operation of charging stations on the highway by collaborating with a certain company. It is thought that this situation hinders energy giants such as Shell, which have been waiting for a long time to install electric vehicle charging stations.
The possible intervention of the Competition Authority may bring significant changes in the field of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. As a result of the investigation, it is expected that the number of charging stations on the highway will increase and different companies will begin to provide services in this area, and stations that have been established but not opened will also become operational.
Because the involvement of companies with a wide station network, such as Shell, can provide great convenience for electric vehicle users. Offering more charging station options could also enable drivers to travel longer distances without experiencing range anxiety.
In fact, as competition increases, price competition in charging services may also come to the fore. This may support the use of electric vehicles to become more attractive and widespread.
Official post by the Competition Authority
An investigation was opened against Highway Operation and Maintenance Inc. and ZES Digital Trade Inc. (24.7.2024)
The preliminary investigation carried out regarding the allegation that Articles 4 and 6 of the Law No. 4054 on the Protection of Competition were violated by practices that create exclusivity in terms of providing charging services to electric vehicles on the Izmir-Istanbul O-5 Highway, was decided by the Competition Board.
The Competition Board, which discussed the information, documents and findings obtained in the preliminary investigation at its meeting dated 04.07.2024, found the findings serious and sufficient;
i) Regarding Highway Operation and Maintenance Inc. (OİB) and ZES Digital Trade Inc. (ZES), regarding the violation of Articles 4 and 6 of Law No. 4054 due to exclusivity practices in the charging network operation market on the O-5 Highway,
ii) In addition, it has decided, numbered 24-28/679-M, to open an investigation against OİB, regarding the violation of Article 6 of Law No. 4054 by discriminating between the undertakings in the charging network operation market.
OIB is the sole operator of the service facilities named Oxygen located on the Istanbul-Izmir O-5 Highway, which connects Kocaeli and Izmir via the Osmangazi Bridge.
ZES operates in the installation and operation of electric vehicle charging stations throughout Türkiye.
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