ORLEN, the largest network of filling stations in the Czech Republic, is entering a new phase in the field of electromobility. The existing charging infrastructure, built on the basis of partnership cooperation, will gradually be replaced by more advanced technology and its own business solution. By 2035, it wants to operate up to 1,700 high-speed charging points. The goal is to provide customers with high-speed charging with an emphasis on quality, availability, and comfort.

With this step, ORLEN is responding to the development of sustainable mobility in Europe and the changing needs and expectations of customers. The new approach to electromobility is part of a comprehensive customer service concept that combines traditional fuel offerings, electromobility, a wide range of ancillary sales, quality refreshments, and digital services.

"We view the development of electromobility as a key element in the process of transforming ORLEN filling stations into multifunctional service centres. Our strategy is in line with European and national goals related to transport decarbonization. Our own charging infrastructure is a logical step that will enable us to guarantee a high standard of service across the entire network," says Agnieszka Bobrukiewicz, member of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group's Board of Directors responsible for retail in Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia and for the development of convenience sales in the ORLEN Group. 

The ORLEN network in the Czech Republic currently offers 294 charging points at 102 filling stations in cooperation with external partners. This will change in the coming years. "The number of electric cars in Europe is constantly growing, and the market in the Czech Republic is also beginning to break out. Although we are currently the leader in electromobility on the Czech petrol station market, we cannot stand still. Charging technologies are undergoing rapid development. That is why we are starting to change our existing network and business model. By 2030, we aim to operate 600 high-speed charging points with a minimum capacity of 150 kW, and by 2035, we plan to expand to up to 1,700 points throughout the Czech Republic. Our own high-speed charging infrastructure will enable us to offer premium quality with at least four to eight charging points at each location," explains Rostislav Moravec, Director of the ORLEN filling station network in the Czech Republic.

ORLEN Unipetrol plans to invest hundreds of millions of korunas in the development of its own charging infrastructure. The investment will be directed not only towards the construction of the charging points themselves, but also towards technological facilities, digital services, and customer support. It will make use of EU and national subsidy programmes for this purpose. In 2026, it will focus on building charging infrastructure at motorway filling stations that are part of the European TEN-T transport network. Twenty-two charging points with a capacity of 150 kW and a minimum network connection capacity of 600 kVA will be installed at these stations. An additional 300 charging points are in the design and building permit procedure stage.

Installing high-speed charging points at filling stations is a technically challenging and time-consuming issue. "To ensure sufficient power for ultra-fast charging stations, a new transformer station must be built and the location connected to high voltage. This construction phase, together with obtaining a building permit, is the longest part of the entire process, which is why we often have to spread it out over several years. However, we believe that we will successfully overcome all challenges and that we will be able to implement individual projects as planned," concludes Rostislav Moravec.

In 2027, ORLEN plans to introduce its own business model, offering customers a fully integrated solution with advanced digital features and personalised services. Recharging will be available via the ORLEN customer mobile app, which already allows for convenient payments for conventional fuels in the shop and at the pump, the purchase of additional products and refreshments, the management of benefits, and access to other services.

The modernisation and expansion of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure at ORLEN filling stations is in line with the European Union's objectives under the Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package, which envisage 3.5 million public charging points by 2030. In its updated National Action Plan for Clean Mobility, the Czech Republic aims to achieve one million electric passenger cars and 60,000 light commercial vehicles by 2035.

                    

ORLEN – the international network of fuels, energy and refreshments

The ORLEN network of filling stations is a member of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group owned by the international ORLEN Group, which runs more than 3,500 fuel stations in seven Central European countries – Poland, Czechia, Germany, Lithuania, Hungary, Austria, and Slovakia. In Czechia, the ORLEN network comprises 441 stations with a 28.5% market share in the volume of fuels sold. The ORLEN network is a market leader in terms of both the number of sites and the volume of fuels sold. The popularity of the ORLEN brand with Czech consumers is reflected by the fact that the ORLEN network of filling stations has been awarded as the Most Trustworthy Brand in Czechia six times and as the Merchant of the Year three times.

At its stations, ORLEN offers premium Efecta fuel with a proven purifying effect and top-class Verva fuel that cares for the engine system and offers enhanced performance parameters. ORLEN sites also provide alternative fuels, including liquified petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), synthetic fuel HVO100, and battery- and hydrogen-driven e-mobility. ORLEN offers electricity at 294 charging points and operates hydrogen refuelling stations in Prague- Barrandov and Litvínov-Záluží.

The Stop Cafe concept is a significant part of the offering, being a crucial pillar in ORLEN brand’s convenience sales. In the Czech Republic, Stop Cafe is available at 357 out of 441 filling stations, i.e., at more than 80% of them. It is offered at nearly 2,500 sites within the entire international network. Stop Cafe offers a broad range of meals and food products – from popular hotdogs and coffee to more than 1,000 products, including packaged food, ready-to-serve meals, and specialities in traditional, vegetarian, and vegan versions. The offer keeps developing – the ORLEN competence centre in Prague is working on new product ranges focused on a healthy lifestyle, including breakfasts, bakery products, ready-to-serve meals, and private brand products that will react to the current trends and customer needs.

ORLEN also issues its own fuel cards, EASY and BUSINESS, and runs two mobile apps – the loyalty ORLEN app and a car care app, Mycí digi linka.

Contact details:

Lada Gadas, +420 705 839 909, email: lada.gadas@orlenunipetrol.cz​