EU approves German plan for 952 motorway charging points

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【Summary】The EU has approved a German scheme to install 952 high-power charging points for electric vehicles along the motorway network. The €350 million project will be open to all companies involved in charging infrastructure and will be selected through a competitive bidding process. The scheme aligns with the EU's green transition objectives and will ensure that prices for recharging are comparable to existing infrastructure.

FutureCar Staff Aug 14, 2023 6:48 AM PT

EU approves German plan for 952 motorway charging points

The European Commission has given approval to a German scheme that will see the installation of 952 high-power charging (HPC) points for electric vehicles along the country's motorway network. The scheme, which is worth €350 million, will be implemented at approximately 200 motorway locations.

This approval follows a similar decision made last December, when the EU approved a German scheme worth €1.8 billion to install 8,500 HPC points across various urban, suburban, and rural areas.

EU State aid rules require such permissions, as state aid is generally prohibited unless it can be justified by reasons of general economic development.

Under the German scheme, direct grants will be provided for the installation and operation of each HPC point. The scheme will be open to all companies involved in the construction and operation of recharging infrastructure. The selection of projects will be done through an open, competitive, and non-discriminatory bidding process.

The EU has mandated the rollout of charging infrastructure along the trans-European transport (TEN-T) network, with a requirement for recharging stations of at least 150 kW to be installed every 60 kilometers.

The Commission determined that the German scheme is necessary and appropriate for the large-scale deployment of HPC infrastructure, aligning with the EU's strategic objectives for the green transition. It also found that the aid would have an incentive effect, as the beneficiaries would not make the necessary investments without public support.

The Commission further concluded that the scheme is proportionate and will not have negative effects on competition and trade within the EU. The German authorities will ensure that the prices for recharging electric vehicles at the newly deployed HPC points are comparable to existing infrastructure. Based on these findings, the Commission approved the German scheme under EU State aid rules.

Photo by Caleb George