Europe’s public electric vehicle charging network is growing faster than the number of electric cars on the road, according to new research from Transport & Environment (T&E). The findings suggest that the European Union’s charging policies are successfully supporting the rapid transition to electric mobility, with nearly every member state already meeting key infrastructure requirements.
The analysis shows that charging deployment has accelerated ahead of expected electric vehicle sales growth in 2025 and 2026, helping eliminate one of the biggest concerns for potential EV buyers: charging availability.
Public Charger Network Reaches 1.1 Million
By the end of 2025, the European Union had installed approximately 1.1 million public EV charging points, representing a fivefold increase compared to 2020. The rapid expansion reflects the impact of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which sets minimum charging infrastructure requirements across all member states.
Under AFIR, every country must provide at least 1.3 kW of public charging capacity for every battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registered within its borders.
By the end of March 2026, every EU country except Malta had already achieved this target. When national charging capacity is combined across the bloc, the EU exceeds the required fleet-based charging capacity by approximately 180%, demonstrating that infrastructure investments are currently outpacing EV adoption.
Fast Charger Rollout Continues Across Europe
AFIR also introduced distance-based requirements for high-power charging infrastructure. The regulation mandates that 150 kW or higher DC fast chargers be available every 60 kilometers along the EU’s major TEN-T transport corridors.
As of June 2026:
– 79% of the TEN-T Core Network, primarily consisting of major motorways, already meets the 2025 ultra-fast charging target.
– 20 of the EU’s 27 member states have already achieved the 2027 charging target for the TEN-T Comprehensive Network—covering regional motorways and primary roads—roughly 18 months ahead of schedule.
While some gaps remain, particularly in Spain and several Eastern European countries, these regions are also experiencing some of the fastest growth in ultra-fast charging installations.
Closing the Remaining Gaps
According to T&E, reaching even higher compliance with AFIR’s distance-based requirements would require relatively limited additional investment.
The organization estimates that installing or upgrading just 70 strategically located charging stations would raise compliance with the 60-kilometer target to approximately 90% across the EU.
The largest needs include:
– Spain: 22 additional stations
– Poland: 11 stations
– Romania: 7 stations
These targeted deployments could significantly improve long-distance charging coverage across the continent.
Infrastructure Is No Longer the Biggest Barrier
T&E believes the latest figures demonstrate that public charging availability is no longer the primary obstacle to EV adoption in Europe.
Lucien Mathieu, Cars Director at Transport & Environment, said today’s EV drivers rarely need to travel far to find a public charger, highlighting that AFIR’s infrastructure targets are delivering the intended results and supporting continued market growth.
However, the organization notes that important challenges remain. Improving charging reliability, simplifying payment methods, and increasing price transparency will be essential to deliver a better charging experience. These improvements are particularly important for drivers living in apartments or other homes without access to private charging, who depend heavily on the public charging network.
Outlook
The latest data suggests the European Union has built a charging network capable of supporting continued electric vehicle growth over the coming years. With public charging infrastructure expanding ahead of demand and most member states already meeting key AFIR targets, attention is now shifting from simply increasing charger numbers to improving the overall charging experience.
As electric vehicle adoption continues to accelerate across Europe, convenient, reliable and transparent public charging services are expected to play an increasingly important role in encouraging more drivers to make the switch to zero-emission transportation.
