The Czech Office for the Protection of Competition (“Office”) is sharpening its focus on competition issues in the automotive and e-mobility sectors. A newly launched sector inquiry into electric vehicle (“EV”) charging networks, together with a recent dawn raid in the small vehicle distribution market, signals heightened enforcement activity in automotive-related markets.

Sector Inquiry into Public EV Charging Infrastructure

The newly announced inquiry focuses on the operation of publicly accessible EV charging stations, with a particular emphasis on the wholesale electricity supply conditions, the vertical integration among operators, and the commercial terms offered to end users.

The Office cites high market concentration and significant vertical integration among key market players as the primary concerns. Additionally, it points to considerable variation in charging prices across different networks and a lack of pricing transparency, which may deter consumers from using third-party providers. According to the Office, similar sector inquiries in neighbouring jurisdictions have revealed ineffective competition, prompting a deeper examination of the Czech market.

The inquiry covers the period from 2020 to mid-2025 and is expected to proceed in three phases:

1. Initial consultations with stakeholders to map out the market structure and identify relevant vertical and horizontal relationships (including roaming agreements between charging networks).
2. Data collection from key market players.
3. In-depth analysis of potential competition concerns based on the findings.

The Office's central question is whether the market for publicly accessible charging stations in the Czech Republic suffers from distortions or malfunctions in competition, and what factors may be causing them.

Dawn Raid on the Small Vehicle Distribution Market

Separately, the Office also conducted a dawn raid at a company active in the distribution of small motor vehicles, accessories, and spare parts. The inspection sought evidence regarding a possible prohibited vertical agreement. Although no formal proceedings have been initiated yet, this development underscores the Office's vigilant enforcement approach in traditional automotive markets as well.

Takeaway

These recent steps by the Office indicate a strategic focus on the evolving mobility sector - both in the emerging EV infrastructure space and in traditional vehicle distribution. Businesses operating in these areas, especially those with vertically integrated structures or exclusive arrangements, should ensure their commercial practices fully comply with competition law.

The Office’s press report regarding the Sector Inquiry can be found here and the press report regarding the dawn raid here (both in Czech only).

If you need more information or further guidance in this area, please contact Vojtěch Chloupek, Martin Taimr and Matej Šinkovic.

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