On Monday 13 February, the European Commission approved the German scheme to roll out a network of user-friendly infrastructure for charging electric vehicles across the country. The measure will cost €300 million over three years and will promote the installation of new standard and high-speed charging stations for electric vehicles as well as the extension of the existing infrastructure.
The scheme will be open to all, including businesses, individuals and local authorities, and the support will be awarded progressively through an open and transparent tender procedure. The electricity used for the charging infrastructure must come from renewable energy sources.
The Commission considers that this measure will encourage a significant uptake of electric vehicles and therefore make a major contribution towards meeting the common interest of reducing emissions and improving air quality.
The support measure is expected to stimulate investment in a market that still requires incentives before it can function on its own. The Commission expects that the financial support for the construction of charging infrastructure will create the conditions for its further expansion without any further support in the future. It will also encourage the use of electric vehicles on German and other European roads. (Original version in French by Élodie Lamer)