Automotive & Mobility: Europe Likely to Miss Charging Infrastructure Goals 2030

Grid Expansion for E-Mobility Charging Infrastructure in Europe: Goals for 2030 Are Likely to Be Missed

2025-10-23 From Susanne Braun | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

The EU Commission has set clear goals for how much the charging infrastructure in Europe should be expanded by 2030. According to studies, there are currently around 910,000 stations, which corresponds to 26 percent of the 2030 target of 3.5 million.

"Charging deserts" in Europe(Image: Motointegrator/ Datapulse Research) — "Charging deserts" in Europe
(Image: Motointegrator/ Datapulse Research)

As part of a study by Motointegrator and Datapulse Research, the authors note that Europe is unlikely to meet the targets set by the EU Commission for the development and expansion of publicly accessible charging infrastructure by 2030. At least the current state supports this assumption. Currently, there are around 910,000 publicly accessible charging points in the 27 EU states; this amounts to 26 percent of the target of 3.5 million charging stations set for 2030.

At the current installation rate of about 150,000 new charging points per year, Europe would only reach around 1.7 million by 2030. To meet the target, the expansion rate would need to increase to more than 500,000 annually.

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According to research by Motointegrator and Datapulse Research, Lidl operates more charging stations than some countries.(Image: Motointegrator/ Datapulse Research)

The study by Motointegrator and Datapulse Research finds that much still needs to be done to achieve the charging infrastructure expansion goals set by the EU Commission.(Image: Motointegrator/ Datapulse Research)

The strategies of the member states differ significantly. Germany plans around one million charging points by 2030, while France aims for 400,000. The Netherlands follow a capacity-based approach, focusing on high availability rather than fixed total numbers. The EU Regulation on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure (AFIR) sets minimum standards – for example, fast chargers with at least 150 kW every 60 kilometers along the TEN-T core network. The TEN-T core network represents the Trans-European Transport Network and serves as both the backbone of European transport and the reference axis for all EU-wide minimum standards for charging, hydrogen, or alternative fuels infrastructure.

Imbalance Between Urban and Rural Areas

The study clearly emphasizes that the development of charging infrastructure depends not only on quantity but also on performance, location distribution, and network quality. Significant regional differences are evident, for example. In Northern Scandinavia, rural regions of Germany, and Southern and Eastern Europe, so-called charging deserts exist where the distance between stations is 40 kilometers or more. This significantly misses the EU requirements.

While the Netherlands leads with the highest number of charging points per capita, they mostly offer mid-level charging capacities. Norway, on the other hand, combines dense coverage with a high share of fast charging points over 150 kW.

Private Sector Steps In

Private providers are playing an increasingly important role in the expansion. Retail chains are investing in fast charging infrastructure in parking lots across Europe, helping to close regional gaps. The market is also growing outside the EU: In Turkey, for example, the number of public charging points has more than doubled within a year – from around 11,800 at the end of 2023 to over 26,000 at the end of 2024. (sb)

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Date: 08.12.2025

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