44 million private charging points by 2035: The key figure in the European infrastructure debate

Electric mobility continues its expansion, and with it, the need for adequate charging systems.

According to the latest report by ChargeUp Europe, 90% of electric vehicle charging takes place at private charging points.

According to projections, 44 million private charging stations will be needed in Europe by 2035.

However, experts warn that several challenges still need to be addressed, particularly in urban areas with space limitations.

Amandine De Oliveira, Head of Consulting at Gireve, highlights that many users in densely populated urban areas resort to nearby public stations as an alternative to home charging.

In this regard, Gireve relies on its data to assert that drivers without access to a parking space mimic behaviours similar to those at home in public places.

“The usage patterns of certain public chargers show constant sessions throughout the night, indicating residential use,” comments the executive.

This phenomenon underscores the importance of treating public infrastructure as a critical extension of home charging, ensuring it remains stable and accessible.

The future of residential charging: Between incentives and regulatory complexity

The lack of access to private charging points not only affects residents of densely populated urban areas but also represents a barrier for those wishing to acquire an electric vehicle.

“We notice that 90% of charging sessions take place in private spaces, which is a significant figure. But the key is covering the remaining 10% to alleviate people’s fears of switching to electromobility,” adds De Oliveira.

Therefore, public stakeholders and charging station operators must collaborate to ensure that access to infrastructure is equitable and efficient.

In this regard, industry leaders agree on the need for a long-term vision, both in terms of economic incentives and regulations.

However, one additional challenge for private infrastructure in Europe is regulatory complexity.

Christian Gehring, Director of Product Management e-Mobility Services at DKV Mobility, points out that regulations in Germany, especially regarding the auditing and calibration of meters, remain a significant obstacle to expansion.

“In Germany, the tax system requires a one-to-one reimbursement, so you must be very precise with the price of each kilowatt-hour, which is practically impossible if you have solar systems and dynamic tariffs,” explains Gehring.

He concludes, “We need a simpler solution for auditing such installations because we all want renewable energies to enter the system, but the auditing process is blocking us.”

The role of data in charge management

Chiara Corradi, Policy Manager at ChargeUp Europe, raised awareness about the need for smart charging management at both public and private facilities.

According to her, private charging represents the majority of the charging experience, and this will remain stable until 2035: “It’s convenient, flexible, and we don’t talk about it enough.”

Gireve’s experience shows that data is essential for managing this type of infrastructure effectively.

Their real-time work with data from millions of sessions helps operators manage availability, monitor usage patterns, forecast demand, set prices, and observe the competition’s evolution.

At the same time, it enables smarter charge management that can begin in the private sector.

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