Germany ups EV charging stations by 50%

Germany has added 7000 more public EV charging stations in the past year to reach 20,650.

The number of such stations rose more than 50% from about July 2018 to around July 2019 – up from 13,500, the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) says.

Some 12% of the stations are rapid (fast) charging stations.

Germany now has more EVs on the road than in any European country, although the percentage of Germans driving electric cars still lags behind nations like Norway.

The BDEW says the number of public charging stations could power up 13 million EVs – or 30% of all German cars of all types in use. But the association is calling for further government action to encourage charging stations in homes and workplaces.

“The growth in public charging stations is a positive signal for the expansion of e-mobility in Germany,” Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) digital energy technologies expert Marlen Bruntrup says.

“But further growth in the charging infrastructure will still be needed. And that offers attractive opportunities for foreign companies’ products; from charging stations and batteries to smart grid technologies and digital solutions.”

Germany’s 16 federal states offer tax incentives to encourage the construction of public and private charging stations.

GTAI is the Federal Republic of Germany’s agency for promoting trade and investment to and from Germany.

Visit www.gtai.com for more information.