A significant portion of German municipalities currently lack publicly accessible charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, according to a recent response from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. The ministry’s data, revealed in response to an inquiry from parliamentarian Dietmar Bartsch, indicates that approximately 45 percent of the nation’s 10,978 municipalities do not offer such facilities.
Specifically, 4,923 communities across Germany are without publicly available EV charging points. However, the picture changes considerably in larger population centers; 98 percent of municipalities with a population exceeding 5,000 residents are equipped with at least one public charging station.
Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen, Saarland and North Rhine-Westphalia currently demonstrate the most comprehensive coverage. Conversely, Rhineland-Palatinate exhibits the lowest level of development, with publicly accessible infrastructure available in just over a quarter (26.5 percent) of its municipalities.
The disparity highlights ongoing challenges in facilitating the wider adoption of electric mobility. Bartsch expressed concern about the deficiency, stating that the lack of charging options hinders the transition to electric vehicles, particularly in rural areas. He pointed out that widespread adoption necessitates not only affordable vehicles with adequate range but also a robust nationwide infrastructure.
The response from the ministry also detailed federal spending on electric vehicle incentives, totaling roughly €9.5 billion from the commencement of government support until the end of July this year. Despite this substantial investment, Bartsch noted the challenges faced by the German automotive industry and suggested the underdeveloped charging infrastructure contributes to these difficulties.