Electricity prices at e-car charging stations in Germany in 2024, by provider
Drivers had to pay 64 cents per kilowatt hour for charging their electric car up to 22 KW (AC) at a Mainova station as of 2024. In most cases, faster charging (DC) is noticeably more expensive regardless of the provider. Mainova, Stromnetz Hamburg/ Hamburg Energie, E.ON, Stadtwerke München, and Ionity rounded up the most expensive DC charging providers.
Looking for the charger
German EV charging stations are spread out across a variety of locations, with around 20 percent located where one might expect them first – in parking lots. Significantly less were available on streets or at retail locations, which clearly signals the need to expand access in areas where drivers typically find themselves. On the other hand, the existing network is also based on demand. Currently, EV still make up a small share among passenger cars in Germany, but figures have been increasing all the same. This is definitely an area the German automotive industry wants to excel in. The accessibility of charging stations, as well as the issue of charging prices, are an integral part of the overall German EV market development.
In competition with China
As an electric vehicle manufacturer, Germany is up against some tough competition, with China expanding to become the largest electric car market in the world. Sales on Chinese soil are booming, and the number of electric cars in traffic is increasing as well. The charging station infrastructure in the country has extended rapidly to more than match the use of electric cars among the population. Encouragingly so, Germany has been activating an increasing number of public charging stations in the last decade. Noticeable jumps have been recorded since 2018 in particular, and even the COVID-19 pandemic did not put a brake on expansion.