The European electric vehicle (EV) market has grown rapidly, making Europe a global leader in electrification. In 2022, EV penetration reached 21.2%, with Norway at 73.5%, Sweden at 49.1%, and other major markets like Germany, the UK, and France showing significant growth. EV sales hit 4.37 million units in 2021 and 2.09 million in 2022, aligning with the EU’s “Fit for 55” plan to have 50% of new car sales electric by 2030.
Lagging Charging Infrastructure
Despite rapid EV growth, public charging infrastructure is lagging, with a high vehicle-to-charger ratio of 14.4:1 in Europe (compared to 7.3:1 in China). Germany, the UK, and France have particularly high ratios, emphasizing the need for more chargers. Europe relies heavily on AC slow chargers, with 87% of public stations being AC, while only 13% are DC fast chargers, compared to 41% in China. To address this, European governments are investing heavily in expanding charging networks, with Germany offering subsidies for DC fast chargers, France investing €100 million, and the UK providing grants for installations.
Comparison with China
Europe’s charging infrastructure lags behind China in both quantity and speed. China’s public vehicle-to-charger ratio was 7.3:1 in 2022, half of Europe’s 14.4:1. Additionally, China’s DC fast chargers make up 41% of its infrastructure, compared to Europe’s 13%, allowing faster charging times.
Overall
Europe’s growing EV market has created significant demand for public charging infrastructure. While the shortage of fast chargers remains a challenge, European governments are increasing investments in DC fast-charging networks. By 2025, Europe is expected to have 1.2 million public chargers, with improved vehicle-to-charger ratios, helping to close the gap with China and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.
