Commission approves €1.6 billion German State aid to help roll-out of fast-charging stations for electric trucks on motorways

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a German scheme of up to €1.6 billion to support the deployment of publicly accessible fast-charging stations for electric heavy-duty vehicles (e-HDVs) at non-serviced rest sites along the German motorways. The measure contributes to achieving the objectives of the Commission’s European Green Deal and Fit for 55 package, including the development of a cross-border charging network. Electric heavy-duty vehicles are large, powerful trucks or buses that run on electricity instead of diesel.

The German measure

The scheme notified by the German authorities and managed by Die Autobahn GmbH des Bundes envisages the deployment of up to 1 410 charging points for e-HDVs in over 120 non-serviced rest sites along the German motorways.

Under the scheme, the aid of up to €1.6 billion will take the form of direct grants and recurring payments covering part of the construction and operating costs for the duration of the contracts. The contracts will last for eight years, with a possibility to extend to up to 12 years. The beneficiaries will be companies with experience in the construction and operation of recharging infrastructure, to be selected following a competitive bidding process.

All participating charging point operators will offer different pricing options: an ad-hoc pricing model (without needing a subscription), a contract-based pricing model, and a “pass-through” pricing mode (where the drivers can use the pricing of their own energy supplier). These models increase choice at charging points, which ensures sufficient price competition. The measure also provides for a charging network fee, which will be included in the price charged for using the funded infrastructure and which the operators will pay back to the Federal Government. The charging network fee will be largely defined by the competitive bidding process and will be reviewed every two years to ensure it reflects market developments.

The Commission’s assessment

The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’), which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, and the Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy (‘CEEAG’).

During the process, third parties submitted market information to the Commission in which they expressed concerns about the notified measure. The third parties alleged that certain features of the measure would violate competition rules and the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation. The Commission assessed these allegations and concluded that the measure as notified does not give rise to concerns.

The Commission found that:

• The scheme is necessary and appropriate to allow for the deployment of fast-charging infrastructure at a large scale on German motorways, and to ramp up the e-HDV charging infrastructure, which will in turn increase demand;
• The measure has an “incentive effect” as the beneficiaries would not carry out the relevant investments to the same extent and within the same timeframe without the public support; and
• The measure puts in place sufficient safeguards to ensure that the scheme has a limited impact on competition and trade within the EU.

On this basis, the Commission approved the German measure under EU State aid rules.

Background

In Germany, the transport sector is the third-largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Heavy-duty vehicle traffic accounted for 24% of total transport emissions in 2024. Therefore, Germany identified that the transition to clean vehicles, particularly e-HDVs, is crucial. Although the number of e-HDVs is expected to increase significantly by 2030, their current market presence remains limited, with only 0.37% of heavy-duty vehicles registered as e-HDVs in Germany as of April 2025. Germany focuses on reducing its GHG emissions by 65% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and achieving climate neutrality by 2045.

For a successful shift to e-HDVs, it is essential to develop a dense and dependable recharging network, especially along motorways. Notably, e-HDVs require specialised charging infrastructure distinct from that for light-duty electric vehicles. Currently, charging facilities for e-HDVs in Germany are very limited. The approved measure supports the development of a cross-border charging network, aligning with the Commission’s ‘Fit for 55’ ambitions and the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, aiming to foster a comprehensive and sustainable European transport network.

The Commission’s 2022 CEEAG provide guidance on how the Commission will assess the compatibility of aid measures for environmental protection, including climate protection, and energy which are subject to the notification requirement under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU.

The guidelines, applicable as from January 2022, create a flexible, fit-for-purpose enabling framework to help Member States provide the necessary support to reach the European Green Deal objectives in a targeted and cost-effective manner. The rules involve an alignment with the important EU’s objectives and targets set out in the European Green Deal and with other recent regulatory changes in the energy and environmental areas and cater for the increased importance of climate protection. They include sections on aid for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions including through support for renewable energy, energy efficiency measures, aid for clean mobility, infrastructure, circular economy, pollution reduction, protection and restoration of biodiversity, as well as measures to ensure security of energy supply, subject to certain conditions.

For More Information

The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.114664 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. New publications of State aid decisions on the internet and in the Official Journal are listed in the Competition Weekly e-News.