Tesla and Electra Provide Free EV Charging in Gironde and Madrid Fire Zones

Severe wildfires have scorched more than 42,000 hectares in France's Gironde department and spread to nearby areas of Spain, prompting the evacuation of over 200,000 people.

Tesla announced that all its Supercharger stations in the affected French locations – Arès, Biganos, Mérignac, Bordeaux Lac and Bègles – and in the Spanish sites of Castellón, Sagunto, Fuenlabrada and Majadahonda will be free of charge for any electric‑vehicle make from 29 July until 5 August 2026. The company posted the offer on X, stating the aim is to help motorists participating in evacuations.

French fast‑charging operator Electra followed suit, opening eight of its 600 kW stations in Gironde (including sites in La Teste‑de‑Buch, Mérignac, Eysines, Bordeaux‑Caudéran, Pessac, Bordeaux‑Lac and Villenave‑d’Ornon) and two near Madrid (Majadahonda and Fuenlabrada) to free charging for private users during the same period. Co‑founder Julien Belliato said the move “supports those who mobilise, evacuate and rebuild.” Unlike Tesla’s automatic free‑charging, Electra requires payment via its app or a card at the kiosk, and the offer does not apply to Electra Pro accounts or third‑party operator badges.