Trend watch: EVs & charging ecosystems in 2026

Opening stat: Global electric vehicle sales reached 17.1 million units in 2024, representing 22% of all passenger vehicle sales—up from 14% in 2023, according to the International Energy Agency's Global EV Outlook 2025. In the European Union specifically, EV market share hit 28%, with Norway, the Netherlands, and Sweden exceeding 50% penetration. Yet charging infrastructure deployment lags vehicle adoption: the EU's current ratio of 11 EVs per public charger remains far short of the 10:1 target recommended by the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).

A buyer's guide: how to evaluate solutions. Focus on a sector comparison with benchmark KPIs.

Why It Matters

The EV transition represents the largest industrial transformation since mass motorization. For founders and investors, the opportunities extend far beyond vehicle manufacturing into a complex ecosystem spanning charging infrastructure, grid integration, battery lifecycle management, software platforms, and mobility services. The European market is particularly dynamic: the EU's 2035 ban on new internal combustion engine vehicle sales creates a regulatory forcing function that is accelerating investment across the value chain.

The charging infrastructure gap represents both a bottleneck and an opportunity. The European Commission estimates that €280 billion in cumulative investment is required to deploy 6.8 million public charging points by 2030—a 12-fold increase from the 600,000 points operational in late 2024 (European Commission, 2024). This capital requirement exceeds what public funds can provide, opening substantial opportunities for private sector participation.

For sustainability-focused organizations, EVs deliver significant decarbonization benefits when paired with clean electricity. A 2024 lifecycle analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation found that EVs in the EU produce 66–69% lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than comparable internal combustion vehicles, accounting for vehicle manufacturing, battery production, and electricity generation (ICCT, 2024). As European grids continue decarbonizing, this advantage will expand.

Key Concepts

Charging Infrastructure Taxonomy

Understanding charging infrastructure requires distinguishing several categories:

AC Charging (Level 2): 7–22 kW power delivery, suitable for destination charging (homes, workplaces, retail). Represents 85% of EU public chargers but accounts for only 15% of energy delivered due to long charging times.

DC Fast Charging (DCFC): 50–350 kW power delivery, enabling 10–80% charge in 15–45 minutes. Critical for long-distance travel and fleet operations. The AFIR mandates 150 kW minimum capacity every 60 km on TEN-T core network highways by 2025.

Ultra-Fast Charging: 350 kW and above, enabling 10-minute charging sessions. Currently limited by vehicle battery capabilities but represents the technical frontier.

Wireless/Inductive Charging: Emerging technology for seamless charging at traffic lights, parking spaces, or in-road applications. Pilots underway in Sweden (Smartroad Gotland), Germany (BMW/Stellantis partnerships), and the Netherlands.

Grid Integration Challenges

EV charging creates both challenges and opportunities for electricity systems:

Demand management: Uncontrolled EV charging could increase peak electricity demand by 15–25% in high-adoption scenarios. Smart charging, time-of-use pricing, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies are essential for manageable integration.

Renewable energy absorption: EVs represent flexible loads that can absorb excess renewable generation. A fully electric EU passenger vehicle fleet would consume approximately 250 TWh annually—roughly 10% of current EU electricity consumption—but with proper demand response, could absorb 30–40% of curtailed renewable energy.

Grid reinforcement: Distribution network upgrades required to support high EV penetration are estimated at €30–50 billion for the EU through 2035, representing a significant but manageable investment relative to the €280 billion for charging points.

KPI	2024 Baseline	2026 Target	Top-Quartile Performance
Public Chargers per 1,000 EVs	91	100	>120
DCFC Utilization Rate (%)	12%	18%	>25%
Average Charging Session Uptime (%)	93%	97%	>99%
Renewable Energy Share in Charging (%)	45%	60%	>80%
Revenue per Charger (€/month)	€320	€450	>€600
Payback Period (years)	12+	8–10	<6

What's Working

Public-Private Partnership Models

Successful charging network deployment increasingly relies on innovative public-private partnerships. The Dutch model—where municipalities provide land access and permitting fast-tracks while private operators invest in hardware and operations—has enabled the Netherlands to achieve Europe's highest charging density (4.5 public chargers per 1,000 inhabitants).

Germany's Deutschlandnetz program, launched in 2023, demonstrates federal-level orchestration: the government tendered 8,000 fast-charging points in 900 locations, selecting operators through competitive bidding that balanced coverage requirements with commercial viability. By late 2024, 60% of contracted locations were operational, with the remainder on track for 2025 completion.

Fleet Electrification as Market Driver

Commercial fleet operators—logistics companies, delivery services, corporate fleets—are proving more predictable customers than retail consumers. Their fixed routes, depot-based operations, and total-cost-of-ownership focus makes electrification economics more compelling.

Amazon's European fleet electrification exemplifies this trend. The company deployed 3,000 electric delivery vans across the EU in 2024, supported by 6,000 depot-based chargers managed through a dedicated fleet management platform. The standardized operations enabled Amazon to negotiate charging equipment costs 35% below retail and achieve 99.2% fleet availability despite the transition.

Battery Technology Improvements

Battery cost reductions and performance improvements continue exceeding projections. BloombergNEF's 2024 battery price survey found lithium-ion pack prices at €115/kWh—a 14% year-over-year decline despite supply chain disruptions—with projections for €80/kWh by 2027. Simultaneously, energy density improvements are enabling 600–700 km ranges in premium vehicles, addressing range anxiety concerns.

Sodium-ion batteries, while lower in energy density, offer cold-weather performance advantages and eliminate lithium and cobalt dependencies. CATL's commercial sodium-ion cells, deployed in select Chinese EVs since 2023, are expected in European vehicles by 2026, potentially reshaping the cost curve for entry-level EVs.

What's Not Working

Interoperability and Payment Fragmentation

Despite regulatory efforts, charging network interoperability remains problematic. A 2024 European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) study found that EV drivers in the EU must navigate an average of 8 different charging network apps, with pricing transparency varying significantly across operators. Ad-hoc charging prices (without subscription) average 40–60% higher than home charging, creating equity concerns for drivers without home charging access.

The ISO 15118 Plug&Charge standard, which enables automatic vehicle-to-charger authentication and billing, offers a technical solution but adoption remains below 15% of public chargers. Retrofitting existing infrastructure is costly, and the fragmented operator landscape slows coordination.

Rural and Multi-Family Housing Gaps

Charging infrastructure deployment follows commercial logic, concentrating in urban areas and highway corridors. Rural communities—comprising 28% of EU population—face charging deserts that create adoption barriers. The economic case for rural charging is challenging: lower utilization rates and grid connection costs 2–3x higher than urban locations deter private investment.

Multi-family housing presents a distinct challenge. Approximately 46% of EU households live in apartments, where installing private charging requires building owner approval, electrical infrastructure upgrades, and equitable cost allocation among residents. Current policies inadequately address these barriers, leaving a significant population segment unable to conveniently charge at home.

Grid Connection Backlogs

Charge point operators across Europe report grid connection timelines of 6–24 months, creating deployment bottlenecks. Distribution system operators (DSOs) face capacity constraints, procedural complexity, and workforce shortages. In Germany, EnBW reported in 2024 that grid connection delays affected 40% of its planned fast-charging installations, forcing route network compromises.

The EU's revised Electricity Market Design addresses some issues by mandating connection timeframes, but implementation varies by member state, and physical grid capacity constraints require multi-year reinforcement programs.

Key Players

Established Leaders

Tesla Supercharger Network: With 15,000+ European charging points including 800+ stations, Tesla operates the continent's largest fast-charging network. The 2024 opening to non-Tesla vehicles via NACS adapters expanded addressable market while maintaining utilization advantages.
Ionity: Joint venture of BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen Group operating 600+ high-power charging stations across 24 European countries. Ionity's focus on 350 kW ultra-fast charging positions it for next-generation vehicle capabilities.
Shell Recharge: Integrated into Shell's fuel station network with 130,000+ charge points globally. Shell's strategy combines destination charging (retail, hospitality) with highway fast charging, leveraging existing real estate assets.
bp pulse (formerly BP Chargemaster): Operating 13,000+ UK charge points with expanding European presence. bp's $1 billion annual EV infrastructure investment commitment through 2030 signals sustained expansion.

Emerging Startups

Fastned: Dutch pure-play fast-charging operator with 300+ stations across Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, and Switzerland. Fastned's focus on solar-canopy stations and 100% renewable electricity differentiates its brand for sustainability-conscious consumers.
Electra: French startup that raised €304 million in 2024, deploying 500+ ultra-fast charging hubs in France and Belgium. Electra's focus on urban charging hubs near retail and office locations addresses destination charging gaps.
Gridserve: UK company combining solar generation, battery storage, and EV charging in integrated "Electric Forecourts." The model demonstrates the potential for on-site renewable generation to reduce grid constraints and improve economics.
Wallbox: Spanish hardware manufacturer whose Quasar bidirectional charger enables vehicle-to-home (V2H) and V2G applications. Wallbox's €500 million revenue in 2024 reflects growing demand for smart charging solutions.

Key Investors & Funders

European Investment Bank (EIB): Committed €18 billion to clean transport investments 2021–2025, including direct loans and guarantees for charging infrastructure projects.
Meridiam Infrastructure: French infrastructure fund with €2.5 billion allocated to EV charging and clean transport, including investments in Allego and Electra.
BlackRock Climate Infrastructure: Raised $2 billion for climate infrastructure investments including EV charging, targeting European and North American markets.
InfraVia Capital Partners: French investor with significant positions in Bump (France) and Allego (Netherlands), representing a dedicated mobility infrastructure thesis.

Examples

Volkswagen Group's European Charging Rollout (2024–2025): Volkswagen committed €2.4 billion to European charging infrastructure through its Elli energy subsidiary, targeting 45,000 public charging points by 2025. The strategy prioritizes Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, and Škoda dealerships as charging hubs, leveraging existing customer relationships while building network density. Early results show 15% higher EV sales conversion at dealerships with on-site fast charging, demonstrating the infrastructure-sales linkage that drives manufacturer investment.
TotalEnergies and Stellantis Free2Move Integration (2024): TotalEnergies and Stellantis partnered to integrate TotalEnergies' 350,000 European charge points into Free2Move, Stellantis's mobility services platform. The partnership enables single-app access for Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, and Opel EV drivers, addressing fragmentation concerns. Notably, the integration includes dynamic pricing visibility and guaranteed renewable energy certificates for charging sessions—a differentiator as consumers increasingly value sustainability credentials.
Gridserve Electric Forecourt at Braintree, UK (2024): Gridserve's flagship Electric Forecourt in Essex demonstrates integrated infrastructure economics. The facility combines 36 ultra-fast chargers (up to 350 kW), 3 MW of solar canopy generation, 6 MWh battery storage, retail space, and a Costa Coffee outlet. The on-site generation and storage reduce grid dependency and peak demand charges, improving operator economics. Occupancy rates exceeded 35%—far above industry average—demonstrating consumer appetite for premium charging experiences that combine speed, amenities, and sustainability.

Action Checklist

Evaluate AFIR compliance requirements for any EU charging infrastructure investments (mandatory coverage distances, accessibility standards, payment interoperability)
Assess grid connection timelines with local DSOs before site commitment—delays can add 12+ months to project schedules
Model charging economics under multiple utilization scenarios (15%, 25%, 35%) to stress-test investment thesis
Investigate public funding availability: CEF Transport, member state subsidies, and municipal incentives can cover 20–40% of capital costs
Prioritize Plug&Charge (ISO 15118) compatibility for future-proofing and consumer experience advantages
Consider vertically integrated models (generation + storage + charging) where grid constraints create economic premiums

FAQ

Q: What utilization rate is required for EV charging profitability? A: Profitability thresholds vary significantly by charging type and business model. AC destination chargers with low hardware costs may break even at 8–12% utilization. DC fast chargers, with €80,000–150,000 capital costs, typically require 15–25% utilization for standalone profitability—though ancillary revenue (retail, advertising) and fleet contracts can improve economics. Current EU average utilization of 12% for DCFC indicates a market still building toward sustainable returns, though utilization is rising 3–4 percentage points annually as EV adoption accelerates.

Q: How should charging infrastructure investors evaluate technology obsolescence risk? A: Key technology transitions to monitor include: (1) Charging power—current 350 kW maximum will likely extend to 500+ kW as battery chemistry evolves, but infrastructure supporting software-defined power upgrades mitigates risk; (2) Connector standards—CCS has effectively won the European standard war, but NACS adoption (led by Tesla) in North America may create future complexity; (3) Vehicle-to-grid—bidirectional charging is nascent but potentially transformative for grid services revenue; (4) Battery swapping—currently limited outside China but could re-emerge for commercial vehicles. Modular infrastructure designs with 10-year hardware lifespans generally match vehicle technology cycles.

Q: What are the most critical site selection factors for charging infrastructure? A: Site selection success depends on: (1) Grid capacity—proximity to adequate transformer capacity reduces connection costs and timelines by 40–60%; (2) Traffic patterns—highway locations require 100,000+ annual average daily traffic for utilization, while urban locations prioritize population density within 5-minute drive time; (3) Dwell time compatibility—fast charging suits highway rest stops (20–40 minute stays), while slower AC charging fits retail, workplace, and hospitality locations (2+ hour stays); (4) Real estate costs—land costs vary 10x across EU locations, significantly impacting returns; (5) Competitive density—first-mover advantages exist, but over-concentration degrades individual site economics.

Q: How will vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology affect charging infrastructure economics? A: V2G enables EVs to provide grid services (frequency regulation, peak shaving) for additional revenue streams. Technical trials in the Netherlands (We Drive Solar) and UK (Octopus Electric Vehicles) demonstrate €400–800 annual value per vehicle. For infrastructure operators, V2G-enabled chargers can generate grid services revenue during idle hours, potentially improving utilization economics by 20–30%. However, battery warranty concerns (OEM restrictions on V2G cycling), regulatory complexity (licensing for grid services varies by jurisdiction), and consumer adoption (convenience trade-offs) currently limit scaled deployment. Commercial fleets with predictable schedules represent the near-term V2G opportunity.

Q: What role does renewable energy sourcing play in charging infrastructure differentiation? A: Renewable energy sourcing increasingly differentiates charging networks. Consumer surveys indicate 35–45% of EV drivers prefer charging from renewable sources and would accept modest price premiums. Fastned and Gridserve have built brand value around 100% renewable claims. For operators, renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) can lock in competitive electricity prices while satisfying sustainability commitments. On-site solar generation (canopy or ground-mount) improves economics where grid connection costs are high or capacity is constrained—Gridserve's Electric Forecourt model demonstrates 25–35% electricity cost reduction through on-site generation and storage.

Sources

European Commission. (2024). Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation Implementation Report. DG MOVE.
IEA. (2025). Global EV Outlook 2025: Catching Up with Climate Ambitions. International Energy Agency.
ICCT. (2024). A Global Comparison of the Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Combustion Engine and Electric Passenger Cars. International Council on Clean Transportation.
BloombergNEF. (2024). Electric Vehicle Outlook 2024. Bloomberg Finance L.P.
BEUC. (2024). Electric Vehicle Charging: Consumer Experience in the EU. European Consumer Organisation.
Transport & Environment. (2025). Europe's Electric Car Revolution: 2024 Review and 2025 Outlook. European Federation for Transport and Environment.