Charging an electric vehicle in Germany

The charging of electric vehicles in Germany has become more convenient due to the expansion of the network of public charging stations and technological progress. In this article, we will talk about charging, costs, as well as infrastructure development and apps that will make it easier for drivers across the country to switch to electric mobility.

As of 2023/10, Germany has more than 78,918 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging points. Especially along highways and in urban areas, the network is becoming more and more dense. Therefore, driving an electric car from Berlin to Munich is no longer an unpredictable adventure. However, some planning is essential. Of these charging points, only 14,501 are classified as "fast charging points" and most are referred to as "normal charging points" in official terms. This means that it can only be charged at a "fast charge point" that is significantly more than 1 kW per 22 hours, and theoretically up to 350 kW with high-power charging (HPC).

How much charging power do you need on the go ?

 For 100kW, a 50kW or 60kW battery will charge up to 30% in about 80 minutes. The good news is that virtually all charging stations, even powerful ones, are displayed interactively in the navigation system and various apps. With these apps, you can check if a charging station is available, the charging power it provides, and the cost per kilowatt-hour. With just one click on the touch screen, you can find this information, and the navigation system or your smartphone will take you to the charging station.

Load Card

You need to get one or more charging cards before starting your journey. Unfortunately, the nationwide activation of charging stations and payment methods by credit cards and Apple Pay is still limited. You can get a charging card, for example, from your car manufacturer or a major electricity provider. This not only allows you to control costs, but also ensures that charging at compatible charging stations is carried out according to the conditions specified in the contract. In addition, you can use these charging cards or the corresponding app to log in to the charging station and activate it. The process is simple: simply place a charging card with an RFID chip (radio frequency identification) on the markings provided for this purpose or scan the QR code at the charging station in the app and you are ready to charge your car.

Loading the App

These apps allow you to customize your charging station search by specifying the plug type and charging speed, or by selecting your preferred electrical provider. These apps are constantly improving and even now you can filter stations according to your personal preferences.

If you are a member of an automobile club such as ADAC, ACE, AVD or ÖAMTC, you will have access to the charging card on favorable terms. These clubs often work with large network operators. For example, ADAC works with EnBW Mobility+ which according to its own information provides access to over 200,000 charging stations in Europe through the app. The network includes countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium, Luxembourg .

The German government has a goal of installing by 2030 100 million public charging stations.

The average electricity price at public charging stations in Germany is about 1 euro per 0.40 kilowatt-hour.

Most electric vehicles in Germany use type 2CCS plugs.

There are several websites and apps that provide information about charging stations in Germany.

conclusion

With the expansion of charging infrastructure and the increasing availability of fast charging stations, charging of electric vehicles in Germany is becoming increasingly accessible and efficient. Combined with supportive government measures, these advances make owning an electric car a practical choice for both urban and long-distance drivers.