"The expansion of charging infrastructure to meet demand is crucial for the successful ramp-up of e-mobility. People need the assurance of being able to charge their vehicles easily and conveniently, anytime and anywhere. In addition to public charging infrastructure, private charging options are a key pillar for the ramp-up of e-mobility. The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) therefore welcomes the funding program 'Charging Infrastructure in and on Multiple-Family Dwellings' published by the Federal Ministry of Transport. This program creates the conditions for a broad and cost-effective expansion of charging options in residential areas where charging infrastructure is currently often inadequate.

Approximately three-quarters of electric car owners currently live in their own homes, while only about a quarter rent or live in their own apartment. This figure underscores the need to improve charging options in multiple-family dwellings. Only if reliable charging is available in these locations, electromobility can successfully establish itself in mainstream society. However, the charging situation in multiple-family dwellings is currently critical: Around 40% of all households in Germany do not have their own parking space and rely on public charging or charging options at their destination or workplace. A further 30% of households reside in multiple-family dwellings with a private parking space but are limited by structural obstacles. Here, the expansion of charging options is often hampered or delayed due to insufficient grid capacity, high installation costs, and the need for approval from the owners' association.

The crucial task now is to systematically remove existing obstacles related to the aforementioned challenges. The funding program addresses precisely this gap. It specifically supports pre-wiring and the upgrading of building connections, thereby creating the conditions for widespread and cost-effective network expansion.

A positive aspect is that the funding program now includes an investment grant for bidirectional charging, which was already included in the Master Plan for Charging Infrastructure 2030. This grant is intended to cover the additional costs of bidirectional charging devices—a sensible component to make the key future technology of bidirectional charging even more attractive.

However, it is also true that the planned funding program will only allow for the electrification of a fraction of existing parking spaces. Therefore, further reliable regulatory incentives are needed for expansion in multiple-family dwellings: A swift and ambitious implementation of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is a key lever in this regard.

Furthermore, significant shortcomings persist in public charging infrastructure. Approximately one-third of municipalities (31%) currently lack a public charging point, and nearly two-thirds (63%) lack a public fast-charging point. Therefore, it is crucial to rapidly and decisively expand the charging infrastructure with affordable electricity prices. The same applies to the expansion and modernization of the associated power grids. Policymakers and the energy sector, in particular, face critical challenges in this area."