Charging Infrastructure: The Backbone of E-Mobility
At the end of 2024, there were more than one million public charging points in the EU for the first time – 35 percent more than the year before. In Germany alone, there are around 184,000 publicly accessible charging points at the end of 2025, of which about 45,000 are fast charging points. This means: Currently, there are about 11 electric vehicles per public charging point.
However, the European Commission has a significantly more ambitious goal: By 2030, 3.5 million public charging points should be available EU-wide. This requires around 410,000 new installations per year – almost three times the current expansion rate. In Europe alone, over two million new electric vehicles were registered in the first ten months of 2025 – an increase of 26.2 percent. More new registrations mean more demand for charging stations.
Charging Points in the EU per 100,000 Inhabitants:
- Belgium: 938
- Luxembourg: 758
- Denmark: 724
- Austria: 666
- EU average: 269
- Germany: 217
- Romania: 19
Safety Comes First When Charging Too
Since April 2024, the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) has been in effect EU-wide. It establishes binding standards for the construction and operation of public charging infrastructure. The requirements range from technical equipment to aspects of cybersecurity. For a charging station to be certified as safe, it must meet various requirements:
Neither voltage nor temperature of the battery cells may exceed critical limits during charging. Users must be protected from electric shocks at all times. The systems must withstand extreme conditions such as frost, rain, or UV radiation.
Michael Ringleb, Product Manager for Electrical Engineering and E-Mobility at DEKRA Automobil, explains the approval process before a charging station goes into operation: "It includes a visual inspection as well as the examination of relevant documents and protocols in accordance with regulatory requirements."
With the regulations, the EU aims to create a comprehensive, interoperable, and safe charging network in all member states. All public charging points should be digitally networked; all radio-capable charging stations must meet cybersecurity standards. The set standards are desirable in terms of safety, however, they slow down the expansion pace.
Skilled Worker Shortage Slows Expansion
"Sometimes you get the impression that anyone who can connect a power cable considers themselves competent to install a charging station," says DEKRA expert Ringleb. However, he has witnessed cases where operating or installation instructions were clearly not read, and in some cases he found a lack of basic knowledge "that is part of the first or second year of training." "Cable cross-sections are dimensioned too small or the grounding is not executed correctly. That's where the skilled labor shortage becomes directly noticeable." The problem often lies with subcontractors with insufficient qualifications. The challenge is exacerbated by growing complexity: grid connection permits, coordination with grid operators, and integration of intelligent charging and communication technologies require specialized expertise.
Charging stations are to electric mobility what gas stations are to combustion engines: a lifeline with the highest requirements for functional safety. DEKRA supports operators and investors of charging infrastructure in planning, system and component selection, tests and certifies them according to all current standards. As a global partner for a digitalized and sustainable world, DEKRA stands for innovation and safety going hand in hand – so that the future of mobility is also safe for people, business, and society.