Rest and Recuperation: EV Charging Points in Luxembourg

Thanks to targeted investments and funding provided through NextGenerationEU, various projects to boost sustainable growth and accelerate the green transition have been launched across Europe. Be they big or small, local or national, they are designed to serve the public’s needs, meet growing demand and usher in cleaner technologies for more sustainable living. The electric vehicle (EV) charging points installed at the Europacamping site, by the Nommerlayen nature preserve in Luxembourg, are part of a nationwide initiative worth €30.5 million, and just one example of how small changes make a big difference. 

Located in a woodland area close to the town of Nommern, in the canton of Mersch, Europacamping has been a holiday mainstay for families since 1973. It offers everything one might expect from a modern camping facility, from mobile homes and camping grounds to play areas and swimming pools. Until recently, however, electric vehicle owners lacked a place to recharge their batteries on site. All that changed in 2023, when campsite managers decided to install multiple state-of-the-art charging points in the resort’s car park, offering holidaymakers 24-hour power-up possibilities.  

We spoke with campsite managers Eline Buehre and Richard Miny to learn more: 

What prompted you to install the charging points?  

EB: The use of electric vehicles has increased considerably in Luxembourg in recent times. We’ve seen a growing number of electric cars in our car park from one year to the next. Our campsite is located right in the heart of nature, which also makes us conscious of environmental issues. Over time, we reached the conclusion that our clientele would benefit from having charging points on site, and it would give us a chance to play our part for the environment. Having installed them a couple of years ago, we are now able to offer holidaymakers greater convenience and a more complete service.  

RM: The government has been offering businesses like ours financial assistance to install charging points. That really lifted the cost barrier, as such infrastructure is expensive to install. Ultimately, it is another thing that sets us apart. It helps us improve our customers' holiday experience and meet their sustainability expectations. We are aware of clean mobility’s benefits for nature and the environment, as these are, after all, fundamental to what we offer. At the same time, the charging points enhance our image, as customers can see that we support the transition to cleaner energy. 

“Financial assistance to install charging points... [has] really lifted the cost barrier, as such infrastructure is expensive to install.”  

– Richard Miny, Campsite Manager at Europacamping 

Have there been any other benefits? 

EB: I think convenience and environmental efforts have been the main advantages, and the grant has helped us achieve this. I do agree with Richard that the charging points improve the campsite’s image, as we are proud to offer this service and we showcase them prominently on our website. By browsing through our webpage, prospective holidaymakers who drive electric vehicles will quickly discover that EV charging points are just one of the many facilities we offer.  

RM: Installing the charging points was part of a wider push to help us better manage our energy consumption. Since we installed them, we have been more conscious of where we have been consuming – and in some cases, wasting – energy, and we have learned to rein that in. As a result, we have managed to make additional changes elsewhere and have reduced our overall energy costs by about 10% per year.  

“We... have reduced our overall energy costs by about 10% per year.” 

– Richard Miny, Campsite Manager at Europacamping 

Luxembourg’s NextGenerationEU-funded Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) is worth just shy of €250 million, with over 80% of its initiatives focusing on the clean energy transition and climate-related objectives. With a valuation of €30.5 million, nationwide financial assistance for businesses installing EV charging points is among the plan’s flagship projects. Its success at the Europacamping facility is testament to such grants' soundness, with the campsite’s managers confirming that support like this is often just what's needed to make the difference and initiate meaningful change.