From Jump-Start to Phase-Out—Transitioning Policy Making Towards a Primarily Market Driven Charging Infrastructure Rollout in Germany

During the early phases of EV market penetration, German policy makers supported the roll-out of a nation-wide charging infrastructure network by extensive state activities, most notably voluminous funding schemes to provide subsidies for publicly owned as well as business-driven charge point operators. An increasing EV adoption rate and therefore an increasing demand has since shifted the focus of policy making towards enabling a privately funded, competitive market. More recently, budgetary constraints have led to abrupt restrictions on policy making and market disruptions. This paper aims to provide insight into policy making during this transitional period, give reason for why a state-funded jump start was necessary for developing the charging infrastructure, and explore how policy makers now intend to foster the development of a functioning market while phasing out detrimental interventionist measures.