In a statement by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the German government unveiled its plan to make fast chargers at gas stations mandatory by law. This would apply to operators of “almost all gas stations,” Scholz announced at the opening of IAA Mobility 2023, adding that “range anxiety will finally be a thing of the past.”
According to current plans by the government, the mandate will apply to around 80% of all gas stations in Germany, or around 11,000 facilities. The government’s ambitious goal is for one million public charging points to be installed throughout Germany by the end of 2030. According to a survey by the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW), as of 1 July of this year, the current number stands at only 10% of this target.
Commenting on the announcement, Ads-Tec Energy, a global leader in battery-buffered, ultra-fast charging technology, says it sees its trusted ChargeBox and ChargePost products as a route to providing a flexible, high-performance charging infrastructure at almost all gas stations – especially in locations where the grid cannot be upgraded to accommodate high-power charging capacities. This is due, on the one hand, to the amount of space required by grid expansion (especially for transformer stations) and, on the other hand, due to the noise emissions generated when charging at a medium-voltage connection, which are not permitted in downtown areas.
Meanwhile, Ads-Tec Energy’s battery-buffered charging solutions are designed for “normal” grid connections, minimise space and noise, are quick and easy to install, and enable “ultra-fast” charging in minutes and at up to 320 kW. This makes high-power charging possible almost anywhere, even at locations with low connection power, such as downtown or rural areas. ChargeBox and ChargePost thus boost the acceptance of electromobility by making electric car charging as fast as conventional refuelling and bringing fast charging to the most convenient locations for drivers.
Thomas Speidel, CEO of Ads-Tec Energy, explains: “If fast charging only takes minutes instead of hours, and is also available at gas stations on daily driving routes through downtown areas, this will not only be significantly more convenient for drivers, but it will also boost acceptance among the general population. This is exactly what is needed to propel e-mobility into the mainstream.”
Customers and partners of Ads-Tec Energy have already gathered extensive positive feedback on fast-charging points at gas stations.
One example is Jolt Energy, a charge point operator specialising in establishing a fast-charging network at highly frequented urban locations. "We have already installed numerous ChargeBox charging stations at gas stations in several major German cities,” said Maurice Neligan, CEO of Jolt Energy. “The interest from gas station operators and owners is substantial as we can provide them with a reliable and space-saving solution for the planned fast-charging requirement. We build, finance, and operate fast-charging stations, allowing gas stations to benefit from additional revenue and new customers without having to invest in charging infrastructure themselves. Now is the right time to establish location partnerships to comply with the upcoming regulatory requirements," Neligan added.
