Deutschlandnetz: 100th Highway Fast-Charging Station Opens

Federal Minister of Transportation Steffen Bilger opened Germany's 100th fast-charging station today on the A81 in Baden-Württemberg. It is part of the nationwide expansion of the charging infrastructure led by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and enables electric vehicles to charge quickly and conveniently.

The fast-charging station that opened today is extremely powerful and equipped with state-of-the-art technology. It has six charging points. Each connection offers a power output of up to 400 kW. This allows a mid-size vehicle to be charged in just ten minutes with enough power for a range of 300 to 500 kilometers. Particularly user-friendly: The payment system accepts all major charging cards, as well as debit and credit cards. The facility is located on the A81 at the Räthisgraben rest area (with restrooms) in the direction of Stuttgart. It is operated by E.ON Drive Infrastructure GmbH.

Deutschlandnetz Adds 9,000 Additional Fast-Charging Stations 

Through the Deutschlandnetz initiative, the Federal Ministry of Transportation (BMV) is creating 9,000 additional fast-charging stations for electric cars. These stations are being built in regions, cities, and at unstaffed highway rest areas that were previously blank spots on the charging map. Private companies are building the more than 1,000 locations of the Deutschlandnetz on behalf of the BMV. About 900 locations are being built in urban and rural areas, and 200 directly along the highways.

Quotes from the opening ceremony:

Steffen Bilger, Federal Minister of Transportation:
„A modern transportation policy must start building tomorrow’s infrastructure today. With the opening of the 100th Deutschlandnetz location at unstaffed rest stops, we’re taking another step closer to our goal: ensuring that people can charge their vehicles reliably and quickly everywhere. With every new location, we build trust in electric mobility, make the transition easier, and combine individual mobility with effective climate protection.“

Dr. Michael Güntner, Chairman of the Management Board of Autobahn GmbH des Bundes:
„Autobahn GmbH is vigorously advancing the expansion of the charging infrastructure to make electric mobility accessible to everyone on all routes. With the opening of this charging park, we are continuing to increase the density of charging points along the highways nationwide. In total, we are installing 1,000 fast-charging stations at 200 locations along the highways.“.

Christine Baur-Fewson, Director of Autobahn GmbH's Southwest Branch:
„Fast-charging stations are an important step toward climate-friendly mobility. Räthisgraben is already the seventh of a total of twelve PWC facilities operated by Autobahn GmbH’s Southwest Branch to have its charging infrastructure approved. Seven more locations will follow by the end of 2026.“

Timo Sillober, Managing Director of E.ON Drive Infrastructure:
„More than two million battery-electric cars are registered in Germany. They currently account for over 30 percent of new registrations. With the 100th fast-charging station at unstaffed rest areas in Räthisgraben, we at Autobahn GmbH are taking responsibility for electric mobility in Germany. As a pan-European operator with more than 10,000 charging points in eleven countries, we are now bringing this network to the A81.“

Dagmar Fehler, Spokesperson and Managing Director of NOW GmbH: „With the 100th Deutschlandnetz fast-charging station on the highway, we’re reaching an important milestone in building a nationwide charging infrastructure. The Deutschlandnetz connects regions and makes electric mobility more reliable on long trips. Our goal is a charging network that people throughout Germany can rely on: high-quality, dependable, and available exactly where they need it.“

Source: Press release from Autobahn GmbH des Bundes