11 Countries Leading the Way in EV Infrastructure

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800x300_11 Countries Killing it in EV Infrastructure (1)

The growth of EVs is worth celebrating, and it couldn’t be done without the support of the countries that host them. An electric vehicle would be a very large (and expensive) paper weight without a reliable charging infrastructure in place. This is a daunting and expensive initiative for any country to take on and face common difficulties like expanding into more rural areas. Not only must they build these networks, but they must ensure adequate grid capacity to manage the considerable increase in electrical usage. While most countries are actively growing their network, some are significantly ahead in the game. Here are 11 examples of countries that are killing it:

Norway

With the highest market share in the world (80% of new cars are EVs), Norway has the highest number of charging stations per capita. As of 2023, there are over 34,000 charging points across the country with a goal to hit 500,000 by 2030. They have chosen to prioritize fast charging, with a target of having at least one fast charger every 50 kilometers (31 miles) on main roads. Norway offers generous tax breaks, toll exemptions, and reduced parking costs for EV owners, significantly lowering the overall cost of ownership.

The Netherlands

Globally, the Netherlands has one of the highest density of public charging stations, with a ratio of one station for every five electric cars. They aim to have 1.8 million public and private EV chargers by 2030. The Netherlands offers a variety of charging options including slow chargers, fast chargers and ultra-fast chargers. The government happily subsidizes a portion of the purchase of new electric vehicles and policies are in place to encourage the installation of new charging points.

China

China has a massive EV charging network, with over 7.2 million charging units as of August 2023. They have a significant lead in public charging stations, with around 2.2 million stations and a strong presence of fast chargers, exceeding 760,000 units. This allows for quicker charging times on long journeys. Lastly, China is also seeing a rising number of private charging stations, at about 5 million units thanks to government incentives.

Germany

The number of public charging points has grown significantly, reaching around 97,000 in 2023. The German government is actively pushing e-mobility with financial incentives for EV buyers and ambitious plans to invest in expanding the charging network. They have focused on a higher number of fast charging stations to lower charging and wait times. That said, Germany still has some work to do as nearly half of German communities still lack a single public charging station. Compared to the global average, Germany has a lower ratio of public chargers to EVs.

United Kingdom

By the end of 2023, the population of the UK did not feel there were enough chargers to satisfy their requirements though the number of charging points has been steadily increasing since 2015. The government has a strategy to make charging more accessible, with a goal to end the sale of new internal combustion engines by 2030. Events like EV Charging Infrastructure UK 2024 bring together industry leaders to discuss new technologies and solutions.

Sweden

Sweden is a true innovator of EV infrastructure with the world's first permanent electric road being built. This two-kilometer stretch uses in-road rails to wirelessly charge electric trucks and buses as they drive. The goal of the country is to potentially build a 3,000 km (1864 miles) network by 2035. That said, there is a lack of charge points throughout the country and the Swedish government has shifted its subsidies for EVs to encouraging more charging point installations.

United States

The US is also working on building their current infrastructure. Today, there are around 180,000 stations with over 530,000 outlets, but they are mostly Level 2 chargers for slower home or workplace charging. That said, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allocated $7.5 billion for EV charging, aiming for 500,000 chargers by 2030. The focus will be on building a national network of fast chargers along highways, spaced every 50 miles (around 80 km).

Japan

Like the US and Sweden, Japan has some ground to make up with regards to their EV infrastructure but is working on it. The Japanese government has a target of installing 300,000 public charging ports by 2030, which would be 10 times the current amount. Today’s estimate of 30,000 stations is equivalent to roughly one charger per 4,000 EV users.

South Korea

Like Norway, South Korea has an incredibly high ratio of public chargers to EVs. As of 2023, there are over 200,000 chargers for around 357,000 electric cars. This is about EVs per charger! New buildings are mandated to allocate a portion of their parking spaces for EV chargers, ensuring easier charging access for residents.

France

France has one of the largest public charging networks in Europe, with over 110,000. The French government is actively investing in expansion, aiming for 400,000 public chargers by 2030. That said, citizens have made great efforts to install home chargers, which exceeds the global average.

Canada

Within six years, the number of public charging ports has tripled in Canada, reaching over 26,500 by October 2023. Programs like the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) are providing money for charger installation. Their goal is to have 84,500 chargers by 2029.

These are just 11 examples of countries that are continuing to invest in the future of automotive but the list doesn’t end here. Governments throughout the world are actively investigating the options that make the most sense for them and their citizens. In 5 years from now, there could be an entirely different list…stay tuned!

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