Siemens Study Sees €25 Billion EV Charging Need
A Siemens study forecasts European cities will need almost €25 billion in charging infrastructure investment by 2030 to support EV growth.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Siemens released a study on Tuesday analysing 64 cities across the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. It forecasts that European cities need almost €25 billion of investment in charging infrastructure to cater for EV growth by 2030.
Why it matters
The study projects the number of EVs will grow on average 3.8 times, and smart charging when electricity demand is lowest could cut the investment bill by 40%. Its findings bear on how cities plan grid spending as EV adoption expands across Europe.
The study estimates a €24.7 billion electricity distribution grid investment bill, with EV numbers projected to grow an average of 3.8 times. Smart charging could cut the overall investment bill by €10.6 billion, or 40%.
The players
Siemens
Siemens is a German industrial conglomerate that conducted the study analysing European city charging and grid needs.
ChargeUp
ChargeUp is the European EV charging industry association that commissioned the study.
ACEA
ACEA is the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, an auto manufacturers group that co-commissioned the study.
The details
The study was commissioned for the European EV charging industry association ChargeUp, the auto manufacturers group ACEA and the partnering group EIT Urban Mobility. Investment needs are highest in Germany, followed by Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands due to significant existing EV fleets, while EV uptake will grow fastest in eastern Europe from a lower base.
Timeline
- 2026-11-03
Siemens releases the study on Tuesday.
2030: Target year for the projected EV charging infrastructure investment needs.
Roadmap
The European Commission has proposed promoting predictable, cheaper off-peak electricity prices across the EU. The Siemens study's smart-charging finding aligns with that push, since charging during lowest-demand hours is shown to reduce the infrastructure bill.
Drivers in cities with large existing EV fleets may see charging infrastructure expansion shaped by the study's findings. Charging during off-peak hours is highlighted as a way to reduce the grid investment needed to support EV growth.
The takeaway
Charging when electricity demand is lowest, such as overnight, can meaningfully reduce the infrastructure investment Europe's cities need. EV owners who can charge during off-peak hours help ease grid pressure as adoption grows.
Further reading
For more on the vehicles driving this demand, see our Electric Vehicles coverage.
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