Insights Gleaned from the 2024 Electric Mobility Chief Procurement Officer Benchmark Study
In the heart of Europe, Germany is witnessing a significant transformation in its transportation sector. The eMobility Excellence CPO-Benchmark Report 2024 has shed light on this transformation, revealing the rapid expansion of the German High-Power Charging (HPC) market.
The report, which includes prominent players such as Shell Recharge Solutions, EnBW, Ionity, Allego, and others, highlights the growing demand for faster charging. However, it also underscores challenges like grid capacity and the need for standardized interoperability.
As of early 2024, Germany's public charging infrastructure consisted of approximately 20,000 HPC points, with the top 10 Charging Point Operators (CPOs) covering over 13,700 of these. EnBW, with over 4,400 HPC points across more than 1,000 locations, leads the pack in network size.
Quality assessment criteria for charging points include uptime, incidence of problematic charging sessions, occupancy rates, and availability of features like Plug & Charge or AutoCharge. Fastned and EnBW show robust performance in charging point quality. IONITY, in particular, leads due to high uptime and substantial maximum power output per connector.
The focus is no longer just on expanding networks but also on improving cost efficiency and charging quality. Competitive pricing through proprietary apps is being used by CPOs to encourage users to stick with a specific network. For instance, Tesla offers competitive ad-hoc pricing for non-Tesla drivers, but pricing varies by location and time.
Initiatives like the "Deutschlandnetz" and regulations for charging stations at petrol stations will further boost the growth of Germany's charging infrastructure. More amenities like restrooms and shops are becoming common at charging sites, particularly at Aral Pulse locations.
The growth in Germany's charging infrastructure has outpaced the increase in Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs), resulting in a 40% rise in HPC points. By the start of 2024, the number of BEVs in Germany had risen to over 1,400,000.
However, the end of EV subsidies in December 2023 resulted in fewer new registrations of electric vehicles. This underscores the importance of reliable and high-quality charging infrastructure for boosting user confidence and EV adoption.
Balancing network expansion with pricing and quality improvements will be key as the market evolves. The continued growth in both the number of charging points and their quality is essential for ensuring a smooth transition to a sustainable future of eMobility in Germany.
