According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), the sale of electric vehicles (EVs) in the European Union (EU) is growing at a much faster pace than the deployment of charging infrastructure. This is raising concerns about a looming shortage of charging stations for the growing number of EVs on the roads.
The number of EV charging stations in the EU
- Sales of EVs in the EU tripled between 2017 and 2023, while the number of newly installed charging stations grew only by a factor of three.
- There are currently around 307,000 public charging stations in operation in the EU, but 6.8 million will be needed by 2030.
- Nearly two-thirds (66%) of charging stations in the EU are located in three countries: the Netherlands, Germany, and France.
ACEA warns that a shortage of charging stations could slow the adoption of EVs and jeopardize the EU’s climate goals.
Conclusion – The charging station shortage is a serious challenge
The EU is currently adding around 150,000 charging stations per year, but the European Commission estimates that 440,000 will be needed annually by 2030. This means that the pace of charging infrastructure deployment will need to accelerate significantly in the next six years to meet the growing demand for EVs.
The charging station shortage is a serious challenge that needs to be addressed to accelerate the transition to EVs. There are a number of potential solutions to this problem, and it is important that all stakeholders actively engage in finding solutions.
Additional points to consider:
- The uneven distribution of charging stations across the EU could also hinder the adoption of EVs, as potential buyers may be less likely to purchase an EV if they do not have easy access to charging stations.
- The high cost of installing charging stations could also be a barrier to deployment, particularly for small businesses and homeowners.
- Governments and industry can play a key role in addressing the charging station shortage by providing incentives for the installation of charging stations and investing in research and development of new charging technologies.
