Expansion of the charging infrastructure in Germany

Since the amended Building Energy Act (GEG) came into force on 01.01.2022, the Federal Republic of Germany has seen significant growth in the area of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EV). The following section examines the current status (January 2023) and ventures an outlook on future developments.

Quantitative analysis:

• Number of charging points: In January 2022, the number of publicly accessible charging points amounted to around 58,000. In January 2023, an increase to over 110,000 charging points was recorded, which corresponds to growth of almost 90%.

• Funding: The German government is providing up to 900 million euros for the expansion of charging infrastructure as part of the economic stimulus package and the National Development Plan for Electromobility (NEP). To date, funding applications with a volume of over 500 million euros have been approved.

• Targets: The NEP envisages the installation of one million charging points by 2030. In order to achieve this target, the expansion needs to be accelerated further.

Progress and challenges:

• Positive development: The significant increase in the number of charging points is a positive development that increases the attractiveness of electromobility for the general population.

• Existing deficits: The nationwide availability of charging points, particularly in rural regions, is still not a given. There is a considerable need for action here.

• Obstacles: There are also challenges with regard to approval procedures and financing concepts. These obstacles need to be removed quickly so as not to hinder the expansion process.

Outlook and prospects:

Continuous expansion: The expansion of the charging infrastructure is being actively promoted by the German government through various measures, such as the provision of subsidies and the shortening of approval procedures.

Expectations: It is therefore to be expected that the number of charging points will continue to rise sharply in the coming years.This is essential in order to meet the growing demand for electromobility and achieve the associated environmental targets.

Promotion of electromobility: The increasing availability of charging points will promote the acceptance of electromobility in society and thus contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions.

In summary, it can be stated that the expansion of the charging infrastructure in Germany has made significant progress since 01.01.2022. However, consistent and accelerated implementation of the political initiatives is still required in order to achieve the ambitious targets.

Additional points:

• Diversification of the charging infrastructure: It should be noted that different types of charging points with different power levels exist. In addition to the frequently used normal charging points (11 kW), fast charging points (50 kW and more) are becoming increasingly important as they enable rapid charging.

• Cost transparency: The costs for using charging points vary depending on the provider and charging capacity. At some locations, use is free of charge, while others charge a fee.

• Accessibility and inclusion: An important aspect is ensuring accessibility and equal use of the charging infrastructure for all population groups. This requires the consideration of different user needs and the development of innovative solutions.

Ensuring accessibility and equal use of the charging infrastructure for all population groups is an important aspect. This requires the consideration of different user needs and the development of innovative solutions.Electromobility is an important component of the energy transition. The consistent expansion of the charging infrastructure is a key factor in promoting the acceptance and use of electric vehicles and thus making a contribution to the sustainable mobility transition.