Rolling out EV charging points – learning from Germany

As the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) surges across Europe, attention is being drawn to the readiness of multifamily buildings and the persistent challenges consumers face in installing EV charging within them to accommodate this shift.

Jayson Dong, Senior EU Public Policy Manager at Chargepoint – an electric vehicle charging company.

This raises questions about the significance of EU legislation, particularly the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), in addressing this issue – as well as considerations regarding its implementation across the continent.

Implementing EPBD in Europe

As we await the formal approval of the legislation, countries across Europe are preparing for its subsequent implementation. EU Member States will have 24 months to incorporate the EPBD into their national laws, establishing a framework which aim to bolster consumers’ ability to install chargers in multifamily and commercial buildings.

At European level, the law sets out targets for both existing and newly built multifamily and commercial buildings. Specifically, it indicates that:

• New and majorly renovated nonresidential commercial buildings with more than five parking spaces should be equipped in at least one EV charging point for every five spaces, or 50% of car parking spaces should have precabling to facilitate the future installation of charging stations.
• By 1 Jan 2027, all nonresidential commercial buildings with more than 20 parking spaces must have at least one EV charging point for every 10 spaces, or 50% of car parking spaces should include precabling.
• New and majorly renovated residential buildings with more than three parking spaces must have 50% of car parking spaces with precabling to facilitate the future installation of charging stations and one EV charging point.
• All EV charging points installed must be capable of smart charging.

While the legislation is still awaiting formal approval at EU level, Germany has recently taken proactive measures to initiate the revision of its national legislation in alignment with the EPBD.

Germany’s approach: taking the lead

As an e-mobility frontrunner, Germany laid out their EV charging ambitions in 2023 with their Charging Infrastructure Masterplan II. In this roadmap, they included the goal to revise their Building Electric Mobility Infrastructure Act (GEIG) “with the aim of equipping buildings with sufficient charging infrastructure in a forward-looking and futureproof manner”.  

The Member State has decided to amend the GEIG in a 2-step approach. In the first draft revision, they are amending the GEIG to extend its scope and recognise public gas stations along motorways as “commercial buildings”. A more comprehensive revision of the GEIG, which will revise the other key targets of the EPBD, will be presented in the second half of 2024.

While the concept of extending building regulations to include gas stations along the motorway might seem unconventional at first glance, the objective of this revision is to complement the well-known Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) distance-based targets along highways – and to ensure there is a comprehensive fast charging network in the country.

By coupling both pieces of EU legislation, Germans aim to enhance their highways with much needed fast chargers.

Yet the GEIG revision isn’t the only thing to look out for in Germany. With AFIR coming into force in the coming month, the Member State will also have to revise its national EV charging regulation, known as the Ladesäulenverordnung (LSV). Planned for the second half of 2024, the revision will have to take into account both the latest provisions on payment methods for ad-hoc charging and power and distance-based EV charging targets.

Charging industry advocates for more proactivity from Member States

The impact of Germany’s proactive action to pre-empt EU legislation remains to be seen.

They have clearly realised that the minimum targets in AFIR will not be sufficient to meet the high demand from EV drivers, especially along the highway network. By taking this unique approach to the application of the EU law they will increase infrastructure deployment across the country.

From the perspective of the charging industry, particularly my company, ChargePoint, Germany’s initiative is set to drive consumer confidence in the electrification of transport, while helping ensure EV drivers nationwide have a place to charge.

Other European countries should take heed, instead of waiting out the full 24-month EPBD implementation period. A delay risks undermining the viability of e-mobility initiatives and leaving drivers stranded without adequate charging options.

[Edited by Donagh Cagney]