In 2022, the European Commission approved a €1.8 billion plan for the expansion of high-power charging (HPC) infrastructure for electric vehicles in Germany.
Simultaneously, the German government approved a project to invest €6.3 billion over three years with the same goal.
As a result, the Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft (BDEW), representing utility companies, reported a 20% increase in local charging points.
Within that percentage, HPC units exceeding 150 kW saw an 83% year-on-year increase, reaching 7,037 points.
The FlächenTOOL platform, launched by the National Charging Infrastructure Directorate, is tracking the installed HPC chargers in the country.
The platform’s map shows that high-power points are distributed across the 16 federal states.
Furthermore, it indicates that one-fifth of Germany’s 85,000 public charging stations are classified as fast-charging points.
However, it is noted that most drivers prefer to charge at home.
More about HPC plan in Germany
The project sanctioned by the European Commission aims to establish a high-power charging (HPC) infrastructure network in urban, suburban, and rural areas of the country.
The plan aims to create “a backbone” of charging points in order to promote the transition to electric mobility.
The initiative envisions the deployment of 8,500 ultra-fast charging points at approximately 900 locations, allowing car charging within 15 to 30 minutes.
The support takes the form of direct subsidies and recurring payments that cover part of the operational costs.
The beneficiaries are companies with experience in the construction and operation of charging infrastructures.
HPC in Europe
According to a survey conducted by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), 42% of the EU’s electric vehicle charging points are concentrated in the Netherlands (111,821) and Germany (87,674).
It is worth mentioning that the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which governs the deployment of charging and refueling stations for all vehicle segments, was recently approved.
Euro MPs have agreed that by 2026, electric charging stations with a minimum power of 400 kW should be installed every 60 km along the core network’s routes.
By 2028, the power capacity should increase to 600 kW.
Furthermore, every 120 km, there should be stations for trucks and buses on half of the main roads in the EU.
They must have a power capacity ranging from 1,400 kW to 2,800 kW.
By 2030, governments must deploy at least 3,600 kW of charging power for trucks every 60 km on the main European road networks, and at least 1,500 kW every 100 km on secondary routes.
Furthermore, by that year, centers of charging must be established in major cities and in every truck parking area.
Regarding H2 refueling stations, European countries must ensure that by 2031, they are placed at least every 200 km along the core network.
Moreover, users must be able to easily pay at charging or refueling points with payment cards or contactless devices, without the need for subscriptions.
In relation to this, Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), asserts:
“There is a deficiency of adequately ambitious objectives, as well as a corresponding timetable for development goals”.
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