Quality and quantity go hand in hand: utilization rates and size of EnBW’s HyperNet growing
Karlsruhe. EnBW recently opened its 50th sheltered fast-charging park and surpassed the 7,000 mark for its own fast-charging points in Germany. These successes are a testament to its leading role in fast charging and the buoyancy of the market, despite recent critical media voices about the utilization rates. These figures came as no surprise to EnBW: “We see regional differences in our charging infrastructure, but utilization rates overall are on the rise,” explained Volker Rimpler, CTO of EnBW mobility+.
What’s more, the adjustment of the expansion targets for 2030 should not be seen as an indicator of a weakening market, as it is being interpreted by some media outlets. “Among other things, our expansion strategy is based on the predicted registration figures for electric cars. We are constantly tracking and forecasting these figures ourselves. Based on current insights, we have therefore revised our expansion targets for 2030 downward,” said Fabian Kneule, CFO of EnBW mobility+. “This is a completely normal reaction to current market conditions.”
Customer needs at the heart of the expansion strategy
Since the first fast-charging station was commissioned back in 2016 – boasting 50 kilowatts of power – EnBW has overseen a remarkable expansion in the space of less than nine years. “From our perspective, e-mobility is and will remain the most relevant factor on the way to achieving low-emission mobility,” stressed Kneule. These days, people are focusing less on range anxiety and more on the charging experience. “The main question on many of our customers’ minds is: Where is ‘my’ nearest charging option? In particular, drivers who do not have the option of charging their vehicles at home need charging infrastructure that can be seamlessly integrated into their everyday lives.” Rimpler added: “Besides the ‘where,’ the ‘how’ then plays a major role: How is a charging location equipped? Is there any infrastructure I can use while my car is charging? How convenient is the charging experience for me?”
EnBW is constantly improving its products and services in order to meet these customer needs. “We prioritize and build fast-charging locations in places where users can integrate charging into their everyday lives. That’s why our strategy is especially targeting retail locations as well as sites along motorways and in urban areas,” said Rimpler. The aim of the strategy is to build fast-charging infrastructure wherever customers spend time with their vehicles.
About EnBW
With about 30,000 employees, EnBW is one of the largest energy companies in Germany and Europe. It supplies around 5.5 million customers with energy and serves all stages of the value chain, from generation and trading to grid operation and the sale of electricity, heating and gas. As part of its transformation from a traditional energy company to a sustainable infrastructure group, the expansion of renewable energy sources and of the distribution and transmission grids for electricity, gas and hydrogen are cornerstones of EnBW's growth strategy and the focus of its investments. Until 2030, EnBW plans gross investments of at least €40 billion, around 90 percent of which will be invested in Germany. By then, around 80 percent of EnBW's generation portfolio is to consist of renewable energies, and the company aims to phase out coal by the end of 2028 if circumstances allow. These are key milestones on the road to the company's climate neutrality in 2035.
About the EnBW HyperNet
The EnBW HyperNet® already provides motorists with access to more than 800,000 charging points in Europe. The EnBW mobility+ app always finds the nearest charging option in these countries. Drivers can also use the app for convenient and contactless payment. After a one-off registration, customers can also simply connect their vehicle at most of EnBW’s own fast-charging points and immediately start charging. Transparent prices per kilowatt-hour apply at all charging points within the EnBW HyperNet.
The EnBW mobility+ service regularly comes out on top in independent tests, including best e-mobility provider in Germany (connect 11/2024, 11/2023, 11/2022, 12/2021, 12/2020 and 07/2020), best HPC charging tariffs (triple test victory for EnBW mobility+ charging rates S, M and L, elektroautomobil, 01/2025), best charging infrastructure operator in Germany (AUTO BILD 29/2024, connect 11/2022 and 12/2021), access to the largest charging network in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (AUTO BILD 27/2023, 22/2022 and 20/2021), best HPC charging network operator (autobild.de, 07/2023), best app usability (AUTO BILD 27/2024) and best charging app among independent providers (Computerbild 12/2023).