The charging infrastructure in Europe will increase from approximately 12.2 million charging points to around 35.4 million by 2030. That means almost a threefold increase over five years. This is according to a recent report compiled by the consulting firm Ricardo on behalf of the European division of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
A large part of the growth will come from ‘private’ charging points, such as at home, in company parking lots, and at workplaces, which will expand significantly. However, network operators are also warning of limited grid capacity.
Grid capacity is the most significant risk factor
For the public/semi-public segment, the report expects a less spectacular increase, but with a growth factor of x 2.4, this still represents substantial growth. If we look only at public charging stations in the EU, there are currently 1.1 million, but by 2030, this number is expected to double to roughly 2.7 million.
However, operators also warn that grid capacity is currently the most significant risk factor in the rollout of a charging infrastructure network in the EU. Without clear rules and investments in grid reinforcement, many planned charging points may not be feasible.
According to a survey among 300 full-time employees in the EV charging industry commissioned by Ricardo, more than 90% said urgent investment is needed in grid infrastructure, innovative charging/load management, storage (batteries), and policy measures to support distribution system operators and speed up procedures.
EU law requires high-power charging every 60 km along major corridors, adding to grid load. And with 42% of Europeans unable to charge at home, demand will increasingly shift to grid-intensive public fast chargers.
For example, a 2024 analysis of 42,000 smart-meter datasets in Flanders shows that each new EV adds 1.4 kW to local feeder load and up to 2.0 kW with faster home chargers. Without intervention, local grids may consequently exceed design limits before 2030.
No more 250-meter rule in Flanders
The Flemish government is now loosening its strict rule that public EV charging stations must be installed within 250 meters of the applicant’s home.
Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder (N-VA) is replacing that fixed distance with the more flexible requirement of a “reasonable distance,” arguing that municipalities are best placed to decide where charging points are safe, accessible, and logical.
The original system, introduced by former minister Lydia Peeters (Opoen Vld), allowed residents without home-charging options to request a public charger via the Paal volgt Wagen online portal; this procedure will remain, but with more local autonomy.
Municipalities may even opt out of the system entirely if they develop their own strategic charging plan that meets quality standards and anticipates future demand. According to De Ridder, the changes will reduce inefficiencies and better align charging infrastructure with local parking and mobility policies while avoiding impractical applications of the old 250-meter rule in dense or constrained areas.
Uneven transition
The Ricardo report also notes that the distribution among countries will remain very uneven. A few countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, and France, already have the majority of charging points, while others are less well served. This means that ‘tripling’ is possible at the European level but will not automatically be felt everywhere.
Plus: without reliable, well-functioning public charging points, EVs remain impractical for those without a garage or driveway, which slows the transition.
AC remains the standard
There are also barriers surrounding pricing models, accessibility, transparency, and ease of use of charging points. For example, public charging points must allow ad hoc payment, e.g., contactless bank card/card reader, without the user having to take out a subscription in advance.
And although the share of ultra-fast chargers is increasing, the total number of fast chargers is often limited, and many chargers remain standard (AC) charging points – AC installations are estimated to represent around 85% of the infrastructure between 2025 and 2030.
The rollout of public fast chargers may be delayed if grid reinforcement is expensive or slow, particularly in regions with limited existing capacity.
In general, sales of EVs are expected to more than double within five years, reaching 8 million in Europe in 2030. However, these sales will undoubtedly also be influenced by the European Commission’s decision on Wednesday on whether to stick to the phase-out of combustion engines for new car sales in 2035.
