BDEW criticizes bureaucratic hurdles for public charging infrastructure

The Federal Association of Energy and Water Management (BDEW) has criticized the bureaucratic hurdles for the development of public charging infrastructure. These hurdles are so high that the funds requested and approved often cannot be utilized by the companies in the end, lamented the industry association. An evaluation showed that only twelve percent of the funds are actually used (German Bundestag printed paper 19/32556). The BDEW, which represents around 80 percent of all charging station operators, has taken this as an opportunity to analyze the low disbursement of funds and the effectiveness of the funding programs. The federal funding programs are an important component to support the expansion of the charging infrastructure, emphasized Kerstin Andreae, Chairwoman of the BDEW Executive Board.

“However, the funding procedures for public charging infrastructure are too complicated and lengthy. They cause a significant bureaucratic burden for the applicants. For this reason, the funding is hardly utilized. We now need smart and pragmatic solutions that enable simple and quick funding. This must be open to all market participants,” Andrae further demanded.

The KfW program for private charging infrastructure has demonstrated how this can work. However, it is also clear that charging infrastructure must be self-sustaining through its utilization in the long term, the BDEW chairwoman further advocated. Just one charging event per day, as is currently the case, will certainly not be sufficient, she predicted.

"This means that we need significantly more electric vehicles to economically utilize the charging infrastructure. This ramp-up must go hand in hand between the automotive industry and the energy sector," Andrae appealed.

Basically, there is the possibility to improve the existing funding system or to redesign the funding from scratch. Measures for efficient funding are available for both options, with a redesign representing the more efficient and targeted approach, argues the association. To streamline and make the existing funding more effective, for example, the documents to be submitted should both be simplified and reduced in number.

Digitalization of Processes

The submission deadlines should be adjusted to enable a realistic sequence of process steps. Additionally, a unified and complete digitalization of the application process would simplify the use of funding programs, suggests the BDEW. For framework agreements for the procurement of charging infrastructure products and services, an exception clause should be established to reduce the bureaucratic burden.

Exception Clause or Redesign of the Funding System

Significantly more efficient and targeted would be a redesign of the current funding system, the association further advocates. With standardized funding rates, funding application after commissioning, and separate funding for the grid connection, the federal government could massively advance the expansion of public charging infrastructure, the officials believe.