Lower Saxony is calling for regulation from the Federal Council
Lower Saxony is launching an initiative in the Federal Council Germany for cheaper and more reliable charging electricity prices for electric cars – primarily at public charging stations. The initiative wants to propose concrete measures, perhaps also an “electricity price brake” for electric cars.
Cheaper charging current for electric cars planned
The state of Lower Saxony is planning an initiative in the Federal Council to reduce the costs of charging electric vehicles and make them more reliable. The jungle of charging tariffs should clear up. The aim is to make electromobility more attractive and to advance the transport transition.
The high and fluctuating prices for charging power represent an obstacle for many potential e-car buyers. The prices for charging power currently vary considerably. At some public charging stations, electric car drivers pay over 80 cents per kilowatt hour, while cheaper providers offer rates starting at 39 cents. The difference usually arises between ad hoc charging and customer card tariffs.
Concrete measures from the Federal Council initiative
Like that State of Lower Saxony announces the Federal Council initiative should propose concrete measures to improve the situation. This includes:
- The accelerated expansion of the charging infrastructure
- The reform of state-determined energy price components
- Promoting functioning competition for consumer-friendly tariffs
- The examination of price ceilings
- Free choice of electricity provider at public charging stations
The Federal Council initiative also aims to promote new technologies and reduce market barriers. Bidirectional charging in particular, in which electric cars can not only absorb electricity but also feed it back into the grid, should play a key role. However, a central point of the initiative is the demand for price stability. The Lower Saxony Transport Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) argues:
The price of charging electricity must be designed in such a way that it has two advantages over fossil fuels: it protects the wallet and the climate. Olaf Lies, Transport Minister of Lower Saxony (SPD)
Infographic VW, Tesla & Co: These manufacturers lead Germany’s electric car market. In order to increase transparency, it is also planned to set up an online charging current monitor.
Challenges and progress
Despite the progress, there is still a lot to do:
- In a nationwide ranking by the Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) on the relationship between the number of electric cars and available charging points, Lower Saxony only came in 11th place in November
- However, the charging infrastructure is constantly growing nationwide: as of September 1, 2024, the Federal Network Agency reported a total of 145,857 public charging points, which corresponds to an increase of over 30,000 within one year
