Electromobility in Germany is Growing: Fuel Prices and Expansion of Charging Infrastructure Shape the Market Environment
Berlin (Germany) - Following a strong year in 2025, electromobility in Germany continues its growth trajectory in the first quarter of 2026. In addition to structural drivers, rising fuel prices due to geopolitical tensions are currently increasing the attractiveness of electric vehicles. At the same time, the expansion of charging infrastructure is gaining further momentum. This is according to the latest BDEW Electromobility Monitor.
Electromobility in Germany: market remains on a growth path
The market for electromobility in Germany continued to grow in the first quarter of 2026, following an already strong year in 2025. In addition to regulatory requirements and shrinking price differences between electric and combustion-engine vehicles, external factors are also contributing to market development - particularly rising fuel prices due to geopolitical tensions.
“2025 was a strong year for electromobility in Germany: the record number of new electric passenger car registrations, which was surpassed again in the first quarter of 2026, and the expansion of charging capacity to more than nine gigawatts (GW) and 200,000 charging points set new milestones,” commented Kerstin Andreae, Chair of the BDEW Executive Board, on the current developments. Electromobility makes users more independent of fossil fuels while also protecting them from price fluctuations at fuel stations.
Key drivers of market development remain regulatory frameworks at the EU level. In particular, stricter CO2 fleet limits for passenger cars have repeatedly correlated with strong demand impulses for battery-electric vehicles in recent years, according to BDEW. The ongoing convergence of prices between electric and combustion-engine vehicles is also supporting demand, although a price premium of around 16 percent still exists, especially in the small and compact car segments.
Charging infrastructure in Germany: expansion exceeds demand, criticism over costs and transparency
The expansion of charging infrastructure is one of the central developments in the electromobility market. According to BDEW, the public charging network was expanded in 2025 to more than 200,000 charging points, with installed charging capacity now exceeding nine gigawatts. This puts infrastructure development ahead of the growth of the vehicle fleet.
Expansion is increasingly taking place along major transport corridors, as well as in urban areas and tourist regions. In many cases, different types of charging are being deployed side by side, including AC, DC, and high-power charging (HPC) points. The goal is comprehensive availability both in everyday situations and on long-distance routes.
Spatial coverage is notable: in 58 percent of municipalities with at least one public charging point, around 95 percent of the population resides. By comparison, only 42 percent of municipalities have a fuel station. At the same time, the average utilization rate of charging points remains low at around 12 percent, indicating that infrastructure expansion is significantly ahead of demand.
From a regulatory standpoint, Germany is thus positioned above the European minimum requirements set by AFIR. The expansion of charging capacity is seen as a structural prerequisite for the continued ramp-up of electromobility.
However, criticism of existing structures comes from the Federal Association for New Mobility (BNM), which sees ongoing challenges in transparency and costs related to public charging. According to the association, current systems are “too intransparent and too expensive” for users. The BNM is therefore calling for greater standardization and technical simplification to make charging processes more transparent and to reduce costs.
High user satisfaction: charging increasingly seen as suitable for everyday use
In addition to infrastructure expansion, the Electromobility Monitor also provides insights into the user perspective. According to the report, a large majority of electric vehicle drivers are satisfied with public charging: 86 percent say their expectations are met, and 58 percent say they are even exceeded. “Early adopters” are significantly more satisfied than “pioneers.” Overall satisfaction among those who can charge at home is only slightly higher than among those who rely exclusively on public charging.
More than half of electromobility users rely on apps to compare public charging prices, although company car drivers use these significantly less frequently than the overall group. According to BDEW, 84 percent of electric vehicle drivers who rely solely on public charging have never - or only very rarely - paid more than €0.80 per kWh.
Source: IWR Online, 20 Apr 2026