The Deutschlandnetz
With the tenders for the Deutschlandnetz (Germany Network), the federal government is ensuring a nationwide, demand-oriented and user-friendly fast-charging network throughout Germany. With around 1,000 locations and a total of some 9,000 fast-charging points, it closes any remaining “white spots” on the charging map. The Deutschlandnetz ensures that the nearest fast-charging point can be reached in just a matter of minutes from anywhere in Germany.
A comprehensive charging infrastructure that meets demand and is available to all users without major detours or waiting times is needed to make the use of electric mobility suitable for user-friendly everyday use throughout Germany. The Fast Charging Act (SchnellLG – Schnellladegesetz) has given the BMDV the task of ensuring this nationwide and needs-based provision of fast charging infrastructure. The invitation to tender for the Deutschlandnetz ensures a basic supply of fast-charging infrastructure at the regional level as well as along highways.
For this purpose, the BMDV and Autobahn GmbH have awarded 900 regional sites and 200 motorway sites in tenders for the construction and operation of HPC fast-charging infrastructure.
An interactive map with the more than 1,000 locations can be found at: www.deutschlandnetz.de
900 regional sites
900 regional sites: Just minutes to the nearest fast-charging location anywhere in Germany
In October 2021, the BMDV’s central office for procurement and external services published the documents for the invitation to tender for 900 sites in rural, suburban and urban areas.
The 900 search areas in which the fast-charging locations will be created are distributed across 23 regional lots in a total of six regions (North-West, North-East, Central Germany, South-East, South-West and West).
These search areas define a specific territory, e.g., around a transportation hub. In each search area, a fast-charging site with at least 4 and up to 16 fast-charging points is to be established. Tenderers must submit or find suitable sites within these search areas.
In September 2023, the BMDV successfully completed the tender process for the regional lots. A total of ten different companies will build and operate the 900 sites with around 8,000 new HPC fast charging points for electric cars.
The following companies have been awarded the contracts:
- Allego GmbH
- BayWa Mobility Solutions GmbH
- E.ON Drive Infrastructure GmbH
- Eviny Elektrifisering AS
- Fastned Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
- EWE Go HOCHTIEF Ladepartner GmbH & Co. KG
- Mer Germany GmbH
- Pfalzwerke AG
- Total Energies Marketing Deutschland GmbH
- Via Deutschlandnetz (VINCI Concessions Deutschland GmbH)
In selecting the operators, the decision was not made solely on the basis of the most favourable bid price. Also relevant in the evaluation of the tenders was whether the operators could set up their sites quickly because they already had suitable space, how user-friendly the individual tenderers intended to set up their sites and how convincing the design of the new sites was.
200 motorway locations
200 motorway locations: A charging option every 15 to 30 km along the highways
On 20 December 2021, Autobahn GmbH issued a call for tenders for 200 new fast-charging sites at unmanaged rest areas along the federal motorways. The 200 sites are divided into six nationwide lots of 32 to 34 sites each. Each site includes 4, 6 or 8 fast charging points. This will result in a total of around 1,000 new HPC charging points.
In February 2024, Autobahn GmbH awarded the contracts to the following companies following the successful conclusion of the tender process:
- Fastned Deutschland GmbH & Co KG
- E.ON Drive Infrastructure GmbH
- Bidding consortium Autostrom Nord
- TotalEnergies MarketingDeutschland GmbH
The motorway sites of the Deutschlandnetz represent a necessary addition to the charging infrastructure already built or planned at managed rest areas or motorway service stations.
The Deutschlandnetz tenders:
The tenders for the Deutschlandnetz ensure a base supply of fast-charging infrastructure in the regions and on the motorways. With the tender, the federal government deliberately choose an instrument that expands and supplements the possibilities of the previously state-subsidized private-sector expansion of the charging infrastructure. The location of the approximately 1,000 sites is based on a comprehensive scientific transport needs analysis by the National Centre for Charging Infrastructure, which also takes the existing infrastructure into account.
The Deutschlandnetz sites are configured in an attractive manner. All facilities meet defined standards in terms of user-friendliness and customer convenience. For example, the selected operators must guarantee high levels of charging facility availability. Users also benefit from excellent charging performance. Each charging point in the Deutschlandnetz must be technically capable of delivering a maximum charging power of at least 300 kW. In addition, all charging points must be able to provide a nominal charging power of at least 200 kW.
More Information
Comprehensive information on the Deutschlandnetz tender, including an interactive map with the 900 search areas of the regional lots and the 200 motorway locations of the Deutschlandnetz, can be found at www.deutschlandnetz.de
Important documents, maps and images relating to the Deutschlandnetz can also be found here.
Note: The Deutschlandnetz tender project does not represent the entirety of all expansion activities in the area of charging infrastructure or fast-charging infrastructure, but rather comprises a limited and specifically defined provision of services by the federal government at 1,100 specified locations. The other private-sector activities for the construction and operation of fast-charging infrastructure and their funding by the federal government remain unaffected.