Charging infrastructure will keep pace with the growth in the number of electric vehicles resulting from the EU tightening its clean car rules, new analysis shows. Up to 10.4 million public charging points could be installed across Europe by 2035 if car CO2 targets are strengthened in line with the EU's Green Deal commitments, according to the modelling by Transport & Environment. T&E said EU lawmakers can increase the ambition of the car CO2 law beyond what the European Commission has proposed with confidence that there will be enough charging points.
There could be up to 5.1 million public charging points by 2030, the analysis finds, as a result of the EU's draft infrastructure law, which requires member states to roll out charging infrastructure in line with the expansion of the EV fleet. Currently there are around 340,000 public chargers in place, but the EU Commission and governments acknowledge that a lot more will be needed. T&E modelled the expansion of the public charging network if the EU increases its car CO2 targets in 2025 and 2030 and sets a new interim target for 2027.
Fabian Sperka, vehicles policy manager at T&E, said: “Public charging is a key concern for drivers, and governments will be required by law to address this by expanding national networks in line with the electric car fleet. European lawmakers don't need to hold back on setting higher car CO2 targets for fear of a lack of charge points.”
While very high numbers of public chargers might appear desirable, the vast majority of charging will continue to be at private chargers at home and work. The European car industry lobby wants 31 million public chargers by 2035, according to T&E's analysis of its demands. This would lead to chargers being used less than one hour a day – far below the 3.6 hours needed to be financially viable according to the industry group's own report.
