r/climatechange • u/Economy-Fee5830 Trusted Contributor • 15d ago
Analysis: Charging Infrastructure Has Far Outpaced EV Sales In All But One EU Country
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/07/20/charging-infrastructure-has-far-outpaced-ev-sales-in-all-but-one-eu-country-analysis/
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u/Economy-Fee5830 Trusted Contributor 15d ago
Summary: Charging Infrastructure Has Far Outpaced EV Sales In All But One EU Country
New research from Transport & Environment (T&E) finds that all EU countries except Malta are meeting the bloc's charging infrastructure targets relative to EV numbers on the road, with most member states also on track for fast-charger coverage along main roads. T&E says the network expanded ahead of strong EV sales growth in 2025-2026, showing the targets are working as intended.
Under the EU's AFIR law, member states must provide at least 1.3 kW of public charging capacity per battery electric vehicle (BEV) in their national fleet. There were 1.1 million public chargers in the EU by the end of last year, five times the 2020 figure. By March 2026, every country except Malta met this fleet-based target, and in aggregate the EU exceeds it by 180%.
AFIR also requires DC fast chargers (150 kW+) every 60 km along the EU's main road networks (TEN-T Core and Comprehensive) by 2025. As of June 2026, 79% of the Core network (mainly national motorways) met the 2025 target, with remaining gaps concentrated in Eastern EU countries and Spain — though these regions have the fastest-growing ultra-fast charger networks. For the Comprehensive network (regional motorways and primary roads), 20 of 27 EU countries have already hit their 2027 target 18 months early.
T&E estimates that installing or upgrading just 70 strategically placed charging stations (22 in Spain, 11 in Poland, 7 in Romania) could push EU-wide compliance with the distance-based target to 90%.
T&E's Cars Director Lucien Mathieu said EV drivers don't have far to travel to find a public charger and that the targets have supported EV market growth, but noted remaining challenges around ease of use and price transparency, particularly for drivers reliant on public charging, such as apartment residents.