Germany weaves its electric vehicle recharging network

Even with the growth of the charging infrastructure in Germany reaching a total of over 97,000 stations of which just over 18,000 are fast charging stations, there is still a significant need for these to reach the target of 1 million charging points by 2030.

As Germany is also very focused on the transition to renewable energy, the growth of EV charging infrastructure is in line with this transition as these vehicles help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable transport and allow the use of renewable energy sources such as wind or solar for charging. 

With the tenders for the Deutschlandnetz (Germany Network), the largest European tender for EV charging infrastructures to date, the federal government is ensuring a nationwide, demand-driven and user-friendly fast-charging network throughout Germany. With around 1,000 locations and a total of around 9,000 fast-charging stations, the remaining "white spots" on the charging map will be closed. The Deutschlandnetz ensures that the nearest fast-charging point can be reached within a few minutes from anywhere in Germany. It will also reduce the gap between supply and demand for all-electric cars, which has soared in Germany in recent years.

In 2023, VINCI Concessions was awarded three contracts under this Deutschlandnetz Regional program to develop ultra-fast charging stations throughout the country. The investment associated with the three contracts amounts to approximately €200 million – subsidized in part by the concession-granting authority.

In March 2024, VINCI Concessions, through eliso, its subsidiary specialised in electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Germany, secured a €130m Green loan for the deployment of 828 charging points in 106 stations in the Berlin, Hamburg and Leipzig areas. Each has a capacity of up to 400 kW, currently the highest standard for high-capacity charging stations. Vinci Concessions will acquire the sites, install the stations and operate them for 12 years. The first site is expected to be operational in 2024.

Societe Generale acted as Mandated Lead Arranger, ESG Coordinator, Hedging Provider and Account Bank for this transaction. It illustrates the bank’s infrastructure team’s strong momentum in EV Charging across Europe. It also cements Societe Generale’s status as a major player in this growing asset class, which is essential for the energy transition and sustainable mobility, confirming and extending Societe Generale’s leadership in electromobility infrastructures.