Europe has reached a significant milestone in its journey toward sustainable transportation, surpassing over 900.000 public electric vehicle (EV) charge points. This accomplishment highlights the continent’s progress in pursuing ambitious climate targets. The rapid expansion of Europe’s charging infrastructure is not only a response to the growing demand for EVs but also a key driver in encouraging the widespread adoption of clean transportation.
Year-on-Year growth in Europe: Are we on track?
From 2021 to 2024, Europe’s EV charging network has seen an average annual growth rate of around 55.4%. This notable increase underscores Europe’s strong momentum in expanding its EV infrastructure, positioning the continent as a global leader in the shift toward e-Mobility. Despite this rapid growth, Europe is still some way from meeting the European Union’s ambitious targets. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) estimates that Europe will need up to 8,8 million charge points by 2030 to support the expected surge in EV adoption. With over 900.000 charging points in place by mid-2024, a significant gap remains.
Distribution of public Charge Points across European countries
The distribution of charge points in Europe is concentrated in a few key countries. The Netherlands, Germany, and France together account for nearly half of all charge points in Europe. This concentration reflects both the market maturity and the strategic investments made by these nations.
The Netherlands leads with 169.216 public charge points, representing 19,5% of Europe’s total network. Germany follows with 152.332, and France with 119.481. These countries play a crucial role in Europe’s EV landscape, offering extensive coverage in both urban and rural areas. Despite the strong presence of charge points in these leading countries, the distribution remains uneven. The top five countries—the Netherlands, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Belgium—host the majority of Europe’s EV infrastructure, leaving other regions less well-covered.
Growth in individual countries
While Europe overall has seen significant growth, individual countries have experienced varying rates of expansion. Belgium and Finland have shown particularly strong growth rates, with Belgium’s network growing by 190% and Finland’s by 158% between January 2023 and July 2024. These figures highlight the aggressive push toward electrification in these countries, despite their still relatively small share of the total network.
Greece has seen a remarkable 480% increase in charge points from 2023 to 2024. However, despite this impressive growth, Greece still accounts for only about 1% of Europe’s total charge points, reflecting its relatively small share in the overall network.
Growth and distribution of AC, DC, and HPC chargers
Europe’s public charging network has expanded to meet the diverse needs of EV drivers. Between July 2023 and July 2024, all types of chargers—AC, DC, and HPC—have grown significantly.
AC chargers, which represent about 84% of the network, are crucial for routine, slower charging, especially in urban areas where vehicles are parked for extended periods. AC chargers grew by approximately 10% during this period. DC fast chargers, which make up 7% of the network, are essential for long-distance travel, offering faster charging at key locations along highways. The number of DC fast chargers grew by about 15% in the same timeframe. High Power Chargers (HPC), comprising 10% of the network, saw the most significant growth, expanding by nearly 25%. These chargers are vital for reducing range anxiety, offering ultra-fast charging in high-traffic areas.
Public vs. Semi-Public charging
Europe’s public charging network consists of both public and semi-public chargers, each playing a vital role in supporting the growing number of EVs. Public chargers are the most accessible, typically found in urban centers, shopping malls, and along highways, available to anyone at any time. Semi-public chargers, on the other hand, are slightly more restricted. These are often located on private properties, such as parking lots at large warehouses, convenience stores, underground parking facilities, hotels, and restaurants. While these chargers are available to the public, access may be subject to specific conditions, like certain hours of operation.
As of mid-2024, the majority of Europe’s charge points are public (63%), ensuring that EV drivers have broad access to charging facilities across the continent. However, semi-public chargers (37%) play an increasingly important role in supporting EV adoption, particularly in areas where public infrastructure is less dense.
Dutch cities lead in Europe
Urban centers remain the focal points of Europe’s EV infrastructure expansion, with Dutch cities leading the way. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague are at the forefront, showcasing the Netherlands’ commitment to e-Mobility.
Amsterdam, with 13.286 public charge points, is Europe’s leading city in terms of public charging infrastructure. The city’s extensive network supports its goal of reducing emissions and promoting sustainable transport. London follows closely with 11.321 charge points, making it the second-best-equipped city in Europe. Rotterdam and The Hague also feature prominently, with 8.538 and 6.967 charge points, respectively, further highlighting the Dutch dominance in EV infrastructure.
Paris, although trailing behind Dutch cities, has 6.546 charge points and is rapidly expanding its network. Meanwhile, Stockholm and Gothenburg, with 5.773 and 5.067 charge points respectively, reflect Sweden’s commitment to building a robust EV infrastructure. Oslo and Antwerp, with 4.205 and 3.983 charge points, round out the list, demonstrating the growing EV networks across Europe. This dominance by Dutch cities underscores the Netherlands’ strategic investments in charging infrastructure, making it a model for other European countries. The efforts of these cities show how local governments, supported by national policies, can drive the transition to electric mobility, ensuring both urban centers and surrounding areas are well-equipped to support the increasing number of electric vehicles.
Challenges and the outlook for Europe’s EV infrastructure
Despite Europe’s impressive progress in expanding its EV charging network, significant challenges remain. The European Union’s goal of 8,8 million public charge points by 2030 requires continued and accelerated efforts in infrastructure development.
Streamlining the regulatory environment is crucial to facilitating the faster deployment of charging stations. Current regulations can slow down installation, hindering the pace of growth needed to meet future demands. Expanding the electricity grid’s capacity is essential to support the growing number of EVs. This includes investments in smart grid technologies and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) systems, which can help manage the increased load and integrate more renewable energy into the grid.
Ensuring equitable distribution of charging infrastructure across all regions is vital. While urban centers are well-served, many rural and remote areas remain underserved. Addressing this imbalance will require targeted investments and collaboration between governments and private sector stakeholders.
Conclusion: Celebrating achievements and preparing for the future
Europe’s achievement of surpassing 900.000 public charge points marks a significant milestone, reflecting the continent’s leadership in the global shift towards electric mobility. The rapid expansion of charging infrastructure, the diversity of charging solutions, and the significant growth in high-power charging stations underscore the progress made in supporting the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
However, the journey is far from complete. To maintain its leadership in the EV revolution, Europe must continue investing in its charging infrastructure to meet future demands and support the ambitious climate goals set by the European Union. The focus now must be on sustaining this momentum, overcoming the remaining challenges, and ensuring that the benefits of electric mobility are accessible to all Europeans.
As Europe’s EV network continues to grow, it will play a crucial role in enabling the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, making cleaner, greener transport a reality for millions across the continent. The future of electric mobility in Europe is bright, but it will require sustained effort, innovation, and collaboration across all sectors to fully realise its potential.
