Germany will mandate that 80% of gas stations in the country install fast-charging stations. These fast-charging stations must be capable of delivering at least 150 kilowatts of power for electric vehicles (EVs).

German chancellor Olaf Scholz (pictured above) made this announcement on September 5 at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. Scholz commended the efforts of the German car industry in transitioning to EVs and highlighted Germany’s intention to be the first European nation to pass such legislation.

Scholz believes that increasing the availability of charging stations will alleviate concerns regarding the limited range of EVs.

Currently, Germany has around 90,000 public charging stations. It aims to establish 1 million by 2030, according to The Cool Down. The goal is to make more charging stations accessible to the German population, thereby encouraging the adoption of EVs.

At present, there are approximately 1.2 million EVs on German roads. This is only a fraction of the country’s 2030 goal of 15 million EVs.

Concerns about limited range, shortage of charging stations, and the cost of EVs have deterred some Germans from embracing EVs. EV skepticism has been particularly high in rural Germany.

Scholz strategically timed the announcement for the IAA Mobility show, which is Europe’s largest auto show. Affordable EVs was one of the most discussed topics at the conference this year.

Transitioning from 1.2 million to 15 million EVs is a necessary step if Germany is to achieve its climate change goals. Research indicates that midsize EVs produce between 60% and 68% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional gasoline cars.

Germany’s success in promoting EV usage and bolstering the required infrastructure could serve as an inspiration for other countries seeking to do the same.

Ironically, major industry players have criticized Germany for making it too difficult to install EV chargers.

Last spring, Tesla sued Tank & Rast (Germany’s largest gas station operator) for refusing to allow Tesla chargers at its gas stations. Tank & Rast has a near monopoly on Germany’s gas stations. The company enjoys this monopoly largely because of its close ties to the German government.

Image Source: VDA, https://shorturl.at/bEV19