BMVI approves nationwide charging network programme

20 March 2017

The German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) has approved a nationwide programme to develop the charging network for electric vehicles (EV). This follows the ratification of Germany’s plans by the European Commission in February. 

Federal minister Alexander Dobrindt said: ′We want to add additional dynamism to electromobility. The key to this is the development of a comprehensive loading infrastructure. This gives the car drivers the confidence that they can recharge their vehicles anywhere and at any time.’ 

The subsidy extends beyond the construction of the charging points to grid connection and assembly. The funding is contingent upon the charging points being publicly accessible and using electricity from renewable energy sources.″¯ 

The approval announcement comes as Innogy, a division of German electric utility company RWE, plans to roll out charging points for EVs using roaming technology. Wirtschaftswoche reports that Innogy will commission more than 1000 charging points which are based on Blockchain technology and plans to convert hundreds more in the coming months.