Global Charging Infrastructure Growth: U.S. and Europe Drive Expansion Amid Significant Gaps in Public Charging Stations

The global charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) is experiencing rapid growth, with significant expansion in the U.S. and Europe. In 2023, the vehicle-to-charger ratios were notably high in these regions, indicating a gap in charging resources.

According to IEA data, the vehicle-to-charger (public charging station) ratios in China, Europe, and the United States in 2023 were 8.7:1, 16.7:1, and 26.4:1, respectively. There is a significant charging infrastructure gap in Europe and the U.S., and efforts to address this have intensified since 2023. According to AFDC data, in the U.S., public charging stations grew by 48.6% year-on-year in 2023 and by 23.3% year-on-year in the first 11 months of 2024 (with DC fast charging showing a growth rate of 51.4% and 30.8%, respectively). In the EU, public charging stations grew by 24.0% year-on-year in 2023 and 12.2% year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2024 (with DC charging stations growing by 73.2% and 43.7%, respectively). The rapid growth in the construction of public charging stations in Europe and the U.S. is expected to continue, with an increasing share of high-power DC fast chargers, creating vast market potential abroad.

In the U.S., by November 2024, a total of 37,000 public charging stations were added, representing a 23.3% year-on-year increase. According to AFDC, as of November 30, 2024, there were 205,000 public charging stations and 20,000 private charging stations in the U.S. From January to November 2024, the total number of newly added public charging stations reached 37,000, up 23.3% year-on-year, with 12,000 new DC fast chargers, up 30.8% year-on-year. In November 2024, the number of newly added public charging stations was 2,700, down 15.5% year-on-year and 47.3% month-on-month, with 1,200 newly added DC fast chargers, up 6.9% year-on-year and 8.1% month-on-month. The utilization rate of charging stations in the U.S. continues to rise, with a significant increase in the utilization of DC fast chargers. According to Stable data, as of Q2 2024, the charging utilization rate of Level 2 (L2) and DC fast charging stations had improved compared to the second half of 2023. The utilization rate of L2 charging stations rose from 13.3% in July 2023 to 14.5% in June 2024, while the utilization rate of DC fast chargers rose from 12.9% in July 2023 to 17.1% in June 2024. The charging utilization rate of DC fast chargers in the U.S. varies greatly by region, with higher utilization in the East and West and lower utilization in the Midwest. In states such as New Jersey and Nevada, the charging utilization rate has reached 27%, while in California, Pennsylvania, and Florida, it has reached 25%.

In Europe, by the third quarter of 2024, the total number of public charging stations increased by 163,000, a 12.2% year-on-year increase, according to EAFO data. As of Q3 2024, the total number of public charging stations in the EU reached 795,000, including 676,000 AC chargers and 120,000 DC chargers. In the first three quarters of 2024, a total of 163,000 public charging stations were added, an increase of 12.2% year-on-year, with 38,000 new DC chargers, a 43.7% year-on-year increase. In Q3 2024, the number of newly added public charging stations was 27,000, a decrease of 41.9% year-on-year and 64.4% month-on-month, with 9,900 new DC chargers, an increase of 14.2% year-on-year and a decrease of 37.2% month-on-month.

Source:充电桩视界