Antwerp, 25 September 2024 - Mobility player Q8 and renewable energy company Storm have opened the first four of the up to 200 planned Q8 electric fast charging stations in Belgium: in East Flanders at the carpool car parks in Aalter (on the E40) and Waasmunster (on the E17), in Limburg at the Paal-Beringen carpool car park (on the E313) and in Flemish Brabant at the junction between the Haachtsesteenweg and Leuvensesteenweg in Kampenhout. The first full-service fast charging stations with shop and restaurant will be opening in the first quarter of 2025.

Managing Director of Q8, Frank Rouwens, and Jan Caerts, CEO of Storm, opened the first four stations today, with an inauguration ceremony at the Aalter fast charging station. Jan Caerts commented: “This is a great step towards the expansion of our fast charging network across Belgium. These stations are a perfect example of the type of locations we are looking for: right next to the motorway and at junctions between busy regional roads.”
“More fast charging stations are already scheduled: our first full-service fast charging stations with a shop and restaurant will be opening in the first quarter of 2025 in Heusden-Zolder (with a restaurant only) and Stekene (with a shop and restaurant). We are also looking at a number of additional charging options and even separate charging areas within existing service stations,” Frank Rouwens said.

Ultra fast charging at 400kW
The fast charging stations at Aalter and Waasmunster each provide charging facilities for 10 cars with a capacity of up to 400kW, while the one in Kampenhout can accommodate 4 cars and the one in Paal-Beringen 6 cars. An average car with a 50kWh battery can achieve an 80% state of charge in 15 to 20 minutes.
Slower charging (22kW) is also available. Aalter can accommodate 2 cars for slow charging, while each of the other stations can take 4. “We offer this option to allow people to leave their cars in the car park for longer periods”, Frank Rouwens explained.
The individual charging points at the fast charging stations are also spacious enough to accommodate light trucks and delivery vans. All charging points are suited for people with a disability. All common charge cards, the Q8 electric app, and any bank or credit card are accepted.
100% renewable energy
The fast charging stations will deliver 100% renewable energy, generated in Belgium. Designed by young Ghent-based architecture firm Martens Van Caimere Architecten, they are built from sustainable, natural materials such as wood. They will also have permeable paving, green landscaping and green roofs.
About Q8
Q8 is one of the largest fuel players in the Belgian market, with a focus on more sustainable mobility. Q8 has more than 465 service stations and a network of over 120 local 'Shop&Go' convenience stores in Belgium, together with Delhaize and Panos. With HVO100, CNG, LNG and Q8 electric, Q8 also demonstrates a strong commitment to more sustainable mobility. Since the launch of Q8 electric three years ago, Q8 has rapidly expanded its charging network. The Q8 charge card and app give access to 500,000 charging points in Europe and almost all charging points in the Benelux. Over the next five years, Q8 will install more than 500 Q8 electric fast chargers in the Benelux. Thus, Q8 continues to build hard on its transformation into a sustainable mobility player.
About Storm
Storm is a Belgian developer and operator of sustainable energy projects. Since its establishment in 2008, Storm has built onshore wind farms to the tune of €350 million. Storm's key investment partners are the Flemish investment company PMV and a number of Belgian infrastructure investors, including publicly listed company TINC. It is Storm’s ambition to continue to accelerate the energy transition in Belgium in the years to come. Within this context, Storm is planning, amongst others, the realisation of dozens of new wind turbines, several large-scale battery storage projects and a fast charging network in partnership with Q8.