The benchmark for e-mobility: EnBW becomes the first company to reach the milestone of 1,000 quick-charging stations

Karlsruhe/Stuttgart. A comprehensive quick-charging infrastructure in public spaces is an important aspect of the mobility revolution. As the operator of Germany’s largest quick-charging network, EnBW is expanding its public quick-charging infrastructure faster than any other company. EnBW is now the first company to reach the milestone of 1,000 quick-charging stations nationwide.

“Our continuous expansion of the nationwide quick-charging infrastructure, which is powering the cars of every manufacturer, is playing a major role in the success of more sustainable mobility,” explained Andreas Schell, CEO of EnBW. “As a company involved in the energy transition, we are thus committed to cutting carbon emission in the transport sector – today and in the future.”

“With our dense network of charging stations, we are already leading the way in this country: Baden-Württemberg is the state with the most charging points per inhabitant in Germany: In this part of the world, there is a charging station at least every ten kilometers and a quick-charging station every 20 kilometers. Yet this charging infrastructure must be constantly developed in order to be certain that it will continue to meet people’s needs,” said Minister-President Kretschmann. “As the state government, we have become a pioneer in e-mobility – with the strategy dialog for the automotive industry in BW, with huge investment in the key technologies of the energy transition and with the e-mobility state initiative, to name but a few examples. However, politicians need strong partners in the economy – and EnBW is just such a partner. In the old world of motoring, we would have said: ‘Let’s hit the turbo button.’ Today, we say: ‘Full charge ahead!’”

“A comprehensive and efficient charging infrastructure is the basis for a successful propulsion transition on the road. Our ambitious climate targets cannot be achieved without the contribution of businesses. The charging network must grow quickly alongside the rapidly growing proportion of electric cars,” added Winfried Hermann, Minister of Transport for the State of Baden-Württemberg.

EnBW has once again significantly increased its investment in e-mobility infrastructure in recent times from more than 100 million euros annually to around 200 million euros and continues to pursue ambitious goals: By 2030, EnBW wants to make around 30,000 public quick-charging points available nationwide. This represents roughly an eightfold increase in its current capacity of more than 3,500 quick-charging points. In doing so, EnBW will provide a relevant proportion of the 130,000 to 150,000 HPCs (high-power charging points – for ultrafast charging) that will be needed for Germany’s public charging infrastructure by then. In order to optimize the framework conditions for the market-driven expansion of the quick-charging infrastructure, EnBW currently sees a need for action, particularly with regard to speeding up approval procedures and providing public space.

“We are expanding our quick-charging infrastructure wherever it fits into our customers’ everyday lives – on long-distance journeys, for example, where they can combine the charging stop with a short break, or in retail areas and city center locations when their car is charging in the parking lot while shopping,” explained Colette Rückert-Hennen, the EnBW Board Member responsible for e-mobility. The company relies on state-of-the-art quick charging: With an output of up to 300 kilowatts, customers can charge their vehicles for a range of up to 400 kilometers in just 20 minutes, depending on the vehicle: “When it comes to e-mobility, quick means suitable for everyday use – customers charge their cars faster and we can supply more vehicles per charging point. This is how we are making e-mobility the everyday norm for everyone – even for people without private charging options,” continues Colette Rückert-Hennen.

EnBW’s public quick-charging network covers the whole of Germany and is open to all car models. EnBW is also working closely with well-known retail partners and other industries to expand the quick-charging infrastructure in retail areas and city centers.