Charging Infrastructure in Germany: Preparing for the E-Mobility Revolution

The electrification of the transport sector is crucial for achieving climate goals, with electric vehicles (EVs) playing a key role. Germany aims for climate neutrality by 2045, which requires a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector by 2030. To support the growing number of EVs, a comprehensive and user-friendly charging infrastructure is essential. This infrastructure must be proactively developed to ensure reliability for drivers switching to electric mobility.

Key Findings of the "Charging Infrastructure 2025/2030 Study":

A recent study provides important insights into the future of charging infrastructure in Germany. The study emphasizes the need for a well-planned expansion of charging facilities to meet rising demand.

1. Number of Charging Points: The study estimates that Germany will need between 380,000 and 680,000 publicly accessible charging points by 2030. This number depends on various scenarios, including the availability of non-public charging infrastructure and the expansion of high-power charging infrastructure (HPC).

2. Installed Charging Capacity: The required installed charging capacity for these charging points is projected to be between 23.3 GW and 32.4 GW by 2030, depending on the scenario.

3. Energy Consumption: The total amount of electrical energy used by EVs is expected to reach 37.8 TWh, with the publicly accessible charging infrastructure providing 36 to 50 percent of this energy, depending on the scenario.

4. Factors Influencing the Need for Charging Infrastructure: Several factors significantly influence the need for publicly accessible charging infrastructure:

5. Availability of Non-Public Charging Infrastructure: The presence of charging opportunities at home and at work strongly influences the demand for public charging points. A higher availability of non-public charging infrastructure reduces the need for public charging.

6. HPC Infrastructure: The expansion of HPC infrastructure can reduce the overall demand for publicly accessible charging points by about 26 percent compared to a reference scenario.

7. Energy Consumption of EVs: Reducing the average energy consumption of EVs by 20 percent can lower the required number of public charging points by about 15 percent.

8. The Role of Normal Charging Infrastructure: Normal charging infrastructure, especially in urban areas, remains crucial. Increasing charging capacity in this case does not significantly alter the need for charging points and underscores their importance for those without access to private charging.

9. Scenarios and Sensitivities: The study uses a reference scenario and four additional scenarios to account for different developments: These scenarios consider different availability levels of non-public charging infrastructure, enhanced digitalization, and a stronger focus on HPC infrastructure. Sensitivity analyses further evaluate specific influences on the dimensions of the charging infrastructure.

10. Impacts of the AFIR: The study's results exceed the minimum targets set by the European regulation AFIR, which prescribes minimum values for charging capacity per vehicle. The study estimates a requirement of between 1.5 and 2.0 kW of installed charging capacity per BEV and 0.8 and 1.6 kW per PHEV by 2030, exceeding AFIR requirements.

The Road Ahead:

To meet the growing demand for E-Mobility, Germany must focus on the following:

• Strategic Expansion: Expansion of normal and fast-charging infrastructure, focusing on user needs and regional differences.

• Grid Expansion: Expansion and modernization of the power grid to support increased charging capacity, particularly at HPC sites.

• Innovative Solutions: Implementation of digital solutions to optimize the utilization of charging infrastructure and avoid peak loads.

• Promotion of Non-Public Charging: Encouraging the development of charging infrastructure at home and at workplaces.