Germany: expansion and challenges for electric charging points

By 2023, Germany's charging capacity for electric vehicles will have risen by 45% to 5.4 GW, despite sub-optimal utilization.

Share:

Croissance Charge Électrique Allemagne

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

7-Day Pass

Up to 50 articles accessible for 7 days, with no automatic renewal

3 €/week*

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles/month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 30,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Utility association BDEW has revealed an impressive 45% increase in electrical charging capacity in Germany for the year 2023, totaling 5.4 gigawatts spread across 118,163 public charging points. This expansion reflects a sustained effort to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles in the country.

Problems of under-utilization

Despite this growth, many charging points remain under-utilized. Barely 3% of registered cars in Germany are fully electric, with 1.41 million vehicles at the start of 2024, far short of the target of 15 million EVs (electric vehicles) by 2030. This raises questions about current policies and the need for a more effective strategy to stimulate EV sales.

Barriers and opportunities

According to Kerstin Andreae, Managing Director of BDEW, the main barrier to adoption is the high price of electric vehicles. Currently, only three models are offered at a price below 30,000 euros ($32,100), severely limiting affordability for consumers. In addition, a recent court ruling on the federal budget led to the abolition of purchase subsidies of up to 9,000 euros per electric vehicle, resulting in a 14% year-on-year drop in EV sales in the first quarter.

Fast charging infrastructure

Ultra-fast charging points (over 150 kW) increased by 50% in one year, reaching 12,014 units. This evolution is crucial to supporting the continued growth of the EV market, by reducing charging times and improving the user experience.

Germany continues to make progress with its charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, but faces significant challenges in meeting its ambitious climate targets. Policy adjustments and technological innovations will play a key role in achieving these objectives.

The main European automotive lobby is calling for looser 2030 and 2035 emission targets, promoting hybrids and carbon-neutral fuels.
Dubai's electricity authority strengthens its electric vehicle charging network through three major contracts with ENOC, Dubai Taxi and Parkin under its EV Green Charger programme.
TotalEnergies and Banque des Territoires create a joint venture to accelerate the rollout of public electric charging infrastructure in French municipalities, with a focus on urban and suburban areas.
Tesla has announced an event scheduled for October 7, hinting at the arrival of a more affordable vehicle amid a limited product refresh and growing competition in the electric vehicle segment.
Dacia presents an ultra-compact electric prototype priced under €15,000, betting on extreme simplification to compete with low-cost Chinese electric vehicles.
Berlin questions the ban on sales of combustion cars from 2035, as German automakers warn of economic and industrial risks for the country.
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa calls for adjustments to the 2035 deadline to safeguard industrial activity and accelerate decarbonisation through flexibility mechanisms.
Faced with falling margins and overcapacity, Beijing is restructuring its electric vehicle industry by focusing on quality, standards, and technological upgrading.
An American-built electric aircraft completed a test flight between Stavanger and Bergen, marking a key step in integrating zero-emission air cargo operations into Norwegian airspace.
The visit marks a new step in the cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and Tellus Power, aiming to establish an EV charging station production unit in the Gulf.
Toyota launches production of its first electric vehicle in Europe at its Kolin plant in the Czech Republic, supported by a €680mn investment, including €64mn in public funding.
The Canadian government invests CAD22.7mn ($16.7mn) in eight projects to strengthen the electric vehicle charging network in British Columbia.
Ireland presents an SAF roadmap structured around four pillars, projecting 88,000 tons in 2030 and 318,000 tons in 2035, aligned with ReFuelEU and European support, while Aer Lingus and Ryanair set usage targets.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure investments are expected to hit $300 billion by 2040, driven by a 12.3% annual increase in global charging port deployments.
The Japanese group TDK’s venture capital fund supports Ultraviolette, an Indian electric motorcycle manufacturer, to help it scale up in a domestic market estimated at over $50 billion within ten years.
U Power announces the signing of a letter of intent to supply 300 battery-swapping compatible electric vehicles in partnership with a Hong Kong-based technology manufacturer, marking a major milestone for intelligent commercial mobility.
According to Ember, only 3% of India’s wind and solar targets for 2032 would be sufficient to cover the entire electric vehicle charging demand, provided appropriate measures are taken for grid management and charging infrastructure.
TotalEnergies holds 23% of the high-power charging market on French motorways, according to data published by Gireve, with more than 1,800 active points across 265 service stations.
The British government is mobilising USD845mn to subsidise electric-car purchases, easing pressure on an industry hit by US tariffs and preparing for the 2030 ban on internal-combustion engines.
Octopus Energy’s Electroverse platform surpasses one million public electric vehicle charging points, strengthening its international presence with a subscription-free model available in 40 countries through a single payment card.

All the latest energy news, all the time

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

7 DAY PASS

Up to 50 items can be consulted for 7 days,
without automatic renewal

3€/week*

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.