Werbung
Werbung

The federal government plans charging station requirements for gas station chains

(dpa) According to the federal government, there are currently too few fast-charging stations for electric cars at gas stations. This is set to change with a supply mandate. The industry rejects a mandate.

Charging where you refuel: The federal government wants to impose an obligation for charging points on gas station operators. They see this as symbolic politics. | Photo: J. Reichel
Charging where you refuel: The federal government wants to impose an obligation for charging points on gas station operators. They see this as symbolic politics. | Photo: J. Reichel
Werbung
Werbung

For drivers of electric cars, there will soon be more fast charging stations at gas stations. According to plans by the federal government, large gas station chains in Germany will be required to build fast charging stations. The federal cabinet aims to initiate a corresponding legislative amendment on Wednesday.

The supply mandate stipulates that companies with at least 200 gas stations must generally operate at least one publicly accessible fast charging point with a capacity of at least 150 kilowatts at each gas station starting January 1, 2028. The petroleum industry association en2x has expressed criticism of the plans.

Specifically, the obligation is expected to affect about a dozen companies, according to a paper from the Ministry of Transport available to the German Press Agency. The existing infrastructure will be taken into account. In light of the ramp-up of electromobility and the adherence to climate protection goals in transport, it is important to provide a nationwide, efficient charging infrastructure.

Federal government emphasizes the importance of gas stations

Justifying the gas station supply mandate, the draft law states that the expansion of fast charging infrastructure at gas stations has already begun. "However, this has so far not occurred nationwide and regionally heterogeneously."

The importance of gas stations is highlighted. "On the one hand, gas stations with their conveniently located sites ensure the nationwide supply of fuel to vehicles. On the other hand, they are considered familiar and attractive points of contact in everyday life." Therefore, gas station companies should increasingly offer charging electricity in addition to fossil fuels. 

According to the draft, the supply mandate is expected to lead to around 8,000 additional new fast charging points. As of April, the Ministry indicates that of approximately 115,000 publicly accessible charging points, just under 22,000 are fast charging points.
 

Mineral Oil Industry Association Speaks of Symbolic Politics

The Managing Director of the Mineral Oil Industry Association en2x, Christian Küchen, told dpa that the gas station companies are fully committed to building the charging infrastructure. "They have been keeping up with the nationwide pace of development for years. And they are building where it makes the most sense for e-car drivers: not only at gas stations but also at supermarkets, on the roadside, at home, and at the workplace."

A mandatory charging station at gas stations would be "pure symbolic politics," according to Küchen. "At best, it only leads to more bureaucracy; at worst, it would also be harmful to the climate. This is because expensive fast-charging stations would have to be set up at locations where there is foreseeable little demand for charging electricity. Better locations would be neglected because every euro can only be spent once."

According to the association, today, two-thirds of all gas stations in Germany already have a fast-charging station within a 5-kilometer radius. At around 370 motorway service areas, nearly 90 percent of all locations, 1400 fast-charging points are available. Therefore, a charging station is not necessarily needed at almost every large gas station chain in Germany.

Translated automatically from German.
Werbung

Branchenguide

Werbung