While Norway is the clear leader in terms of EV adoption (13,381 BEVs per 100,000 inhabitants), the Netherlands has soared ahead when it comes to charge points per capita (817 charge points per 100,000 inhabitants). Norway still comes in second in terms of charge points (447), while the Netherlands lags further behind in EVs per capita, being overtaken by Iceland, Luxembourg, Sweden and Denmark. The ‘Laggards’ consists primarily of countries in Southern and Eastern Europe, showing there is still room for improvement.
Overall, charge points in the EU increased by 360% from 2020 to 2023. Looking at the last year on a country level, Greece and Lithuania have experienced the most significant growth, followed by Cyprus and Estonia. This confirms that progress in the mobility transition in Eastern and Southern Europe is starting to catch up, while the more advanced countries begin to plateau. In 2023, AC chargers increased, on average, by 57%, while DC chargers almost doubled (a 96% increase).
This map clearly highlights the areas with the higher power per capita: the Nordics, the Netherlands, Scotland, a corridor across the Austrian, Italian and Swiss alps, as well as certain regions in central France and Germany. On the flip side, we clearly see that Eastern and Southern Europe continues to lag, with a few exceptions around the capital regions. The UK, Italy, Portugal and Spain sit in the middle of the pack with uneven distribution across each country.
Although the rate of increase in electric vehicles is starting to slow (following a typical S-curve trajectory), the rapid rise to mass adoption is on the horizon – so now is the time to prepare for the onslaught. Guaranteeing users seamless and convenient charging is the cornerstone of the e-mobility revolution. User-friendly, connected, widespread and fast electric vehicle charging infrastructure will now take center stage.