A Look Across EV Recharging Infrastructure in UNECE Countries

In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) have shifted from being a futuristic novelty to a mainstream reality on roads worldwide. With the urgency to address climate change and reduce air pollution, we have seen governments, industries, and individuals alike accelerate the adoption of EVs. Yet, despite their rising popularity, one hurdle still holds many back from going electric: range anxiety. The fear of running out of charge before reaching a destination remains a genuine concern for many potential EV owners. Addressing this challenge requires more than just technological advancements in batteries—it demands a robust, accessible, and well-distributed recharging infrastructure.

Recognizing this critical need, UNECE, in collaboration with Eurostat and the International Transport Forum (ITF), has embarked on a project to collect and analyse EV infrastructure data across countries. By understanding how infrastructure is evolving and what gaps remain, we can make more informed decisions to support the growth of electric mobility.

Understanding Infrastructure: Recharging Pools, Stations, Points

The terms related to the types of recharging infrastructure used in the data collection align with the EU Regulation on the Deployment of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure (AFIR). The three main classifications include recharging pool, recharging station, and recharging point.

A recharging pool consists of one or multiple recharging stations at a single location, operated by a single charging operator. A recharging station refers to an individual unit that houses one or more recharging points for EVs. A recharging point is the specific interface where an EV connects for charging.

Data on recharging pools is particularly vital for assessing the distribution and accessibility of recharging locations. By mapping these pools, policymakers can evaluate whether transport networks are adequately served. However, not all countries provide complete data on pools, leaving some gaps in the analysis.

The following charts illustrate the number of recharging pools and recharging points in select countries from 2021 to 2023. Germany stands out in EV infrastructure, leading Europe with an extensive network of both recharging pools and points. Meanwhile, Canada and Norway present an interesting divergence. Canada has the highest number of recharging pools, likely reflecting the need to cover vast distances across its large geography. On the other hand, Norway leads in the number of recharging points, showcasing its focus on equipping pools with multiple interfaces to serve more EVs simultaneously.

Figure 1 Number of recharging pools for select countries, 2021 - 2023

Figure 2 Number of recharging points for select countries, 2021 - 2023

Recharging Speeds: AC vs. DC and the Push for Fast Solutions

For most countries, Alternative Current (AC) recharging points remain the backbone of EV infrastructure. These slower chargers are suitable for residential, workplace, and urban use due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Figure 3 shows that countries like North Macedonia and Netherlands still rely almost exclusively on AC charging, which may reflect their focus on everyday charging needs.

However, the data reveals a gradual yet notable growth in Direct Current (DC) recharging points, marking a shift toward faster, high-power solutions. DC chargers are essential for reducing recharging times, alleviating range anxiety, and supporting long-distance travel. Countries such as Norway, the Slovak Republic, and Monaco show increasing proportions of DC recharging points in recent years, signalling strategic investments in high-speed recharging infrastructure.

Figure 3 AC vs. DC recharging points in select countries, 2021 – 2023

When diving deeper into DC recharging infrastructure, the diversity in power output levels tells a compelling story. Slow DC chargers (P < 50 kW), while less prevalent, represent a significant proportion in countries like Switzerland and Greece. Fast DC chargers (50 kW ≤ P < 150 kW) dominate in many nations, accounting for 81% of DC chargers in the Czech Republic, 72% in Latvia, and 59% in Türkiye. Moving further into high-power solutions, Level 1 Ultra-Fast DC chargers (150 kW ≤ P < 350 kW) are prominent in Norway (75%), Germany (61%), and Finland (60%). At the forefront of Level 2 Ultra-Fast DC chargers (P ≥ 350 kW) are France and Sweden, leading in both total counts and proportional share.

Figure 4 Distribution of DC Recharging Points by Power Output in Select Countries, 2023

Powering the System: Beyond Numbers, A Question of Energy

Behind every recharging point lies the question of power. It is not just about the number of chargers, but also the power they can deliver. The total installed power output of publicly accessible recharging points offers insights into the capacity of EV infrastructure across countries. Germany leads with 4.57 million kWs of installed recharging power, followed closely by France with 4.31 million kWs. Finland, Türkiye and Switzerland are also making strides, contributing significantly to regional recharging capacity.

This emphasis on total power output reflects a commitment to future-proofing infrastructure, ensuring that as EV adoption grows, the network can handle increased demand.

Figure 5 Total Installed Power Output in Publicly Accessible Recharging Points (kW), 2023

Stations-to-Population Ratio

While recharging pools provide insights into the distribution of recharging locations, the station-to-population ratio is essential for understanding how accessible these stations are relative to the population. This metric helps gauge whether the infrastructure can meet daily recharging demands of EV users, especially in densely populated areas.

Monaco and Switzerland lead with the highest station-to-population ratios, reflecting its dense and accessible EV recharging infrastructure, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom. In contrast, North Macedonia, Cyprus, and Poland report lower ratios, which may suggest that their recharging infrastructure is still developing.

Figure 6 Ratio of Stations to Population, 2023

Data Collection Methodology and Challenges

The UNECE-Eurostat-ITF data on recharging infrastructure is exclusively collected from National Statistical Offices. Unlike other sources that may show more extensive data that include figures from private operators or industry associations, our methodology prioritizes official statistics. This ensures standardized, reliable, and comparable data across countries.

However, challenges remain in expanding the dataset and achieving a unified approach to measuring recharging infrastructure. Differences in reporting standards, definitions, and data completeness among countries highlight the need for further collaboration. Coalescing around a single, standardised set of metrics will be crucial for a clearer, more comparable picture of infrastructure readiness.

Follow this link to access the full dataset.