Charging as easy as refueling: New plan from the federal government

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Charging should become as easy as refueling – that is the goal of the federal government. The cabinet has adopted a "Master Plan Charging Infrastructure 2030". A central point: "When paying and billing, charging should not be more complicated than refueling."

Currently, it often looks different. "The jungle of tariffs is often opaque," criticizes ADAC. Payment options are insufficient and a display of prices per charging process is often missing. From the perspective of Gregor Kolbe from the Federation of German Consumer Organisations, the insufficient transparency of public charging prices is problematic for e-car drivers.

The federal government now plans improvements here. Various funding programs are also planned, for example for the development of charging options in multi-party houses. However, the implementation of all "financially effective measures" of the master plan depends on the budget situation. The federal government has to save in the coming years, and there are financial gaps in the core budget.

Many users are still too often confronted with charging offers that are difficult to compare, according to the master plan with regard to public charging stations. This weakens trust in electromobility and slows down the transition. The federal government is therefore committed to clear framework conditions to ensure price transparency, digital price information, and dynamic competition.

Creating price transparency

An "price transparency office" for Ad-hoc prices should enable the integration of this data into apps and navigation systems for end consumers. "Anyone who drives electrically should always find technically reliable charging offers at transparent and competitive prices – regardless of where, when, and how quickly they charge," the master plan states.

A current survey commissioned by the Federation of German Consumer Organisations shows that for 84 percent of respondents, the transparency and uniformity of prices for public charging are crucial when switching to electromobility. "Currently, consumers often only find out the price for spontaneous charging at the charging station. Even with contract-based charging, a simple price comparison is only possible to a limited extent. Therefore, a central body is needed to collect and publish spontaneous charging prices and contract tariffs," emphasize the consumer advocates. Users could thus more easily compare prices and find the best offer.

In addition: Charging at public charging stations is significantly more expensive than charging privately at home, according to a paper from the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). ADAC emphasizes that a reduction in electricity tax for private consumers would also be an important step.

E-cars are intended to play a key role in achieving climate goals in transport. The sector regularly misses targets. The expansion of the charging network is progressing. According to the Federal Network Agency, there were around 80,000 public charging points as of October 1st, including around 44,250 fast charging points.

"White spots"

"In particular, the number of fast charging points is increasing significantly, which is pleasing," said consumer advocate Kolbe. "Nevertheless, there are still white spots on the map. To enable public charging everywhere, the federal government must create appropriate framework conditions. At the same time, charging station operators are called upon to drive forward the expansion through continuous investment."

Currently, charging options are largely sufficient in relation to the number of e-cars, according to ADAC. The expansion of charging infrastructure in Germany is progressing overall. However, there are capacity gaps in conurbations or directly on the autobahn. The federal government is working, for example, on a e-truck fast charging network along the autobahn.

Funding for multi-party houses

E-cars are often charged at home – but what about residents of multi-party houses? These often do not yet have corresponding charging options, according to the federal government's paper. Therefore, state funding is planned to increase the willingness of homeowners' associations to invest and to accelerate the establishment of charging options in multi-party houses. Funding is also planned for the expansion of charging infrastructure in depots and company yards for e-trucks – if the budget allows.

(mki)