Brussels gives green light for e-truck charging hubs on German motorways
The German government’s planned funding has received approval under EU state aid rules, allowing the initiative to proceed. When a country intends to intervene in a market with state funding of this scale, it requires approval from Brussels to prevent unjustified interference or discrimination.
In this case, the focus is on a German scheme, backed by up to 1.6 billion euros, which aims to promote the expansion of public fast-charging stations for heavy battery-electric commercial vehicles at unmanaged rest areas along German motorways. The German government tendered for e-truck charging hubs at 130 unmanaged rest areas in September 2024, while the European Commission now refers to ‘ up to 1,410 charging points for e-HDVs in over 120 non-serviced rest sites along the German motorways.’
“The approved measure supports the development of a cross-border charging network, aligning with the Commission’s ‘Fit for 55’ ambitions and the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, aiming to foster a comprehensive and sustainable European transport network,” Brussels stated. “During the process, third parties submitted market information to the Commission in which they expressed concerns about the notified measure. The third parties alleged that certain features of the measure would violate competition rules and the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation. The Commission assessed these allegations and concluded that the measure as notified does not give rise to concerns.”
The Commission considers the scheme ‘necessary and appropriate to allow for the deployment of fast-charging infrastructure at a large scale on German motorways, and to ramp up the e-HDV charging infrastructure, which will in turn increase demand.’ It also identifies an incentive effect, as ‘beneficiaries would not carry out the relevant investments to the same extent and within the same timeframe without the public support.’ Furthermore, the measure includes provisions ‘to ensure that the scheme has a limited impact on competition and trade within the EU.’
“This scheme will contribute to the decarbonisation of the road transport sector in Germany by adding crucial charging infrastructure along the German motorways. It will help the automotive industry to ramp-up the transition,” said Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition. “IIt will help the automotive industry to ramp-up the transition to sustainable and smart mobility and is in line with the objectives of the Industrial Automotive Action Plan and the Clean Industrial Deal, while it is designed to limit competition distortions.”
The ‘initial e-truck fast-charging network’ dates back to 2024. A total of 350 sites are to be funded: 220 at managed rest areas and 130 at unmanaged rest stops. However, in the first round, the Ministry of Transport only tendered for the unmanaged sites—the second round is still pending.
The 130 sites are divided into five lots, each comprising around 25 locations. The charging infrastructure will provide rated charging capacities of at least 400 kW per CCS charging point and 1,000 kW per MCS charging point.
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