The gap between supply and demand in public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) in Germany has narrowed. However, there are still significant differences between municipalities, and the need for action in expanding charging infrastructure in Germany remains significant overall. This is shown by the evaluation published today by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), the so-called VDA e-charging network ranking*.

As of July 1, 2025, there are 172,150 publicly accessible charging points in Germany, including 40,777 fast-charging points** (source: Federal Network Agency) and 2,877,051 EVs (BEV, PHEV; source: Federal Motor Transport Authority). This means that as of July 1, there are an average of 17 EVs per publicly accessible charging point in Germany. The ratio of public charging points to EVs in Germany remains virtually unchanged compared to the previous VDA e-charging network ranking (data as of July 1, 2024). At that time, there were also 17 EVs per publicly accessible charging point. This figure has improved only slightly from 17.3 to 16.7.

Expansion pace slows down

As of the cut-off date of the new VDA e-charging network ranking (July 1, 2025), the Federal Network Agency reports 29,357 more public charging points than in the last VDA e-charging network ranking (as of July 1, 2024)***. This means that there are significantly more public charging points in Germany year-on-year, but the pace of expansion has slowed: While the last VDA e-charging network ranking, which was based on a comparison of July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024, showed that a good 45,000 public charging points were added across Germany within a year, the comparison of July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025 shows a number of just over 29,000. The slower pace of expansion is also evident, albeit somewhat less clearly, when looking at the addition of fast-charging points, at which significantly more EVs can be charged in the same time than at standard charging points. While 10,729 units represent more than one in three of the 29,357 public charging points added within a year, this compares to approximately 11,500 new fast charging points added in the previous twelve months. Across Germany, the annual growth rate of fast charging points is now 36%. This is significantly higher than the growth rate of standard charging points, which is 17%.

If we consider the average charging power available per EV in Germany to reflect the expansion of publicly accessible charging infrastructure, the VDA analysis shows that this value has increased. Statistically, 2.1kW were available per EV in Germany in July of last year. Exactly one year later, 2.4kW were available. However, this ratio has stagnated since January of this year. This means that, in terms of power, the expansion of the charging infrastructure is currently occurring at roughly the same rate as the ramp-up of new EV registrations.

Almost three out of ten municipalities without public charging points, around two thirds without public fast charging points

While charging capacity is an important factor, the availability of local charging options is also crucial for everyday lives of consumers. However, the VDA analysis shows that almost three out of ten municipalities (32%) still do not have a public charging point. And around two-thirds of all municipalities (65%) have not yet installed a public fast-charging point.****

VDA President Hildegard Müller: "Consumer confidence in being able to charge quickly and easily anytime and anywhere is central to the acceptance of electromobility. A comprehensive and efficient charging infrastructure is a key factor in encouraging people to switch to e-mobility and plays a decisive role in the market ramp-up. This makes the development and expansion of the charging infrastructure for EVs one of the most urgent infrastructure tasks for Germany. It's no good news that after the progress achieved, the pace of expansion has recently slowed down. More speed is urgently needed, as there is still a backlog and too many blank charging spots on the map of Germany. Just recently, an Allensbach study showed that consumers continue to be skeptical about the charging options and are particularly dissatisfied with the charging options on motorways and country roads. Therefore, among other things, the expansion of the locations of the so-called Germany network with more than 1,000 fast-charging parks along the motorways must be resolutely pushed forward and completed in 2026 as is scheduled."

In order to achieve the necessary progress in expanding the charging infrastructure, faster planning and approval processes were essential, the VDA President continued. "In particular, it is now important to upgrade power grids and capacities for the future so that the corresponding power can actually be provided. Accelerated and forward-looking power grid expansion is the crucial prerequisite for expanding the charging infrastructure. There is an urgent need for action here from politicians, the Federal Network Agency, and the energy industry."

When it comes to expanding the charging infrastructure in Germany, all relevant stakeholders would have to fulfill their responsibilities. This includes gas station operators, the housing industry, parking space companies, retailers, charging point operators, especially the energy industry, and, of course, the automotive industry. "One thing is clear: the automotive industry is making a decisive contribution to the success of electromobility, now and in the future, with innovations and significant investments. German manufacturers already offer around 110 different electric models on the German market alone, and the selection, even in the lower segments, will continue to expand," Müller explained.

"Automotive companies are already involved in many projects to expand charging infrastructure. With Ionity and Milence, among others, they are driving forward the development of charging infrastructure for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. We will continue this commitment," the VDA President continued.

The results of the VDA e-charging network ranking

The VDA e-charging network ranking is a statistical evaluation based on official data from the Federal Motor Transport Authority and the Federal Network Agency. Reported data is included in the evaluation, which is divided into three areas:

The T-value (charging network ranking T-value | VDA) indicates how many electric cars share a publicly accessible charging point. Heilbronn (Baden-Württemberg), which was second in the last VDA e-charging network ranking, has emerged as a new leader. Heilbronn therefore has the best ratio of EVs to public charging points in Germany, with just 4.8 EVs per public charging point. Last year's winner, Emden (Lower Saxony), is now in second place, and the Oder-Spree district (Brandenburg) holds third place. Looking at the absolute growth alone, the expansion of charging points in Berlin is particularly dynamic, as was the case in the previous ranking: 991 public charging points were added in the capital between July 1, 2024, and July 1 of this year. The second highest number was in Hamburg with 735, the third highest in Stuttgart (646).

In all federal states, the charging offer is larger than a year ago

Looking at the charging availability at the federal state level, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and Thuringia have the best ratio of EVs to public charging points. Here, there are 11.7 EVs per public charging point. Saxony ranks third. Structural differences between the federal states should not go unmentioned; the number of electric cars in the new federal states is still comparatively low. This is followed by Bremen, Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Brandenburg, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria, where there are 15.9 EVs per public charging point. The following states each have values above the national average of 16.7. These are: Lower Saxony, Hamburg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland (in that order).

The A-value (charging network ranking A-value | VDA) represents the overall attractiveness of the charging network in the district or city. It compares the number of publicly accessible charging points to all cars registered in the district or city, regardless of their drive type. The value thus indicates how attractive the district or city is for switching to electric mobility. Ingolstadt (Bavaria) once again leads the A-value ranking, followed by Stuttgart (Baden-Württemberg) and Regensburg (Bavaria).

Thuringia once again leads the way in fast charging

For the current VDA e-charging network ranking, fast-charging infrastructure was also examined at the city and municipal level for the first time. The so-called S-value (charging network ranking S-value | VDA) shows how many EVs statistically share a fast-charging point. The Saale-Orla district (Thuringia) leads the way in this regard, followed by Gera (Thuringia) and Zweibrücken (Rhineland-Palatinate). Looking at the absolute increase in fast-charging points alone, Cologne saw the most additions (215). Berlin added the second most (205), and Hamburg the third most (178).

The statistical analysis at the federal state level shows that the national average S-value is 70.6. In other words, in Germany, there are an average of around 71 EVs per fast-charging point. This value has improved significantly since the last VDA e charging network ranking—as of July 1, 2024, it was still at 82.4.

The top five places in the current ranking for the S-value, as in the last evaluation, are occupied by the states of Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Saxony, and Brandenburg. This also reflects structural differences within the federal states—in the former East Germany, the number of electric cars is still comparatively low. They are followed by Rhineland-Palatinate, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Bavaria, Bremen, Hesse, Berlin, North Rhine-Westphalia, Hamburg, Baden-Württemberg, and Saarland. The densely populated state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) saw the most new fast-charging points compared to the last evaluation, with 2,226.

Data sheets for the respective federal states with the top performers of all 13 federal states as well as rankings of the federal states among themselves for all three values with further data details are available for download: