On 1 January 2025, a key provision of the Building Electromobility Infrastructure Act (GEIG) will come into force. From this date, owners of existing commercial properties with more than 20 parking spaces will be required to provide at least one operational charging point for electric vehicles. Failure to comply could result in hefty fines of up to €10,000.
This legislative change marks a turning point: while the GEIG previously applied primarily to new builds and major renovations, it now extends to existing buildings – another step towards a sustainable mobility transition.
Detailed Requirements of the Charging Point Obligation
What does the GEIG require?
According to Section 10 of the GEIG, commercial property owners are required to install charging points that are:
- Fully functional.
- Accessible to users.
The legal wording leaves no room for interpretation: “After 1 January 2025, a charging point must be installed.” This means the charging point must not only be physically present but also meet the requirements of everyday use.
Flexibility for Large Property Portfolios
For companies with multiple properties, the GEIG offers some flexibility. The obligation can be fulfilled at centralised locations by installing the required total number of charging points where demand is highest.
- Advantage:Efficiency in infrastructure planning.
- Disadvantage:Risk of uneven distribution of charging infrastructure.
Fines for Non-Compliance
Property owners who fail to meet the charging point obligation risk facing significant penalties. Non-compliance can result in fines of up to €10,000. Commercial property owners should therefore take early action to avoid legal and financial risks.
European Perspective: A Broader Outlook
While the GEIG strengthens charging infrastructure in Germany, the European Union is already planning stricter regulations. A revision of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive proposes expanding the obligation to smaller properties and other types of buildings.
What does this mean for Germany?
Germany is expected to transpose this directive into national law in the coming years. Possible changes include:
- Obligations for residential buildings above a certain size.
- Expansion of charging infrastructure in public buildings.
- Promotion of fast charging points.
Economic Opportunities of the Charging Point Obligation
Making properties more attractive to tenants and customers
A well-developed charging infrastructure enhances a property’s appeal:
- For tenants: Businesses increasingly seek properties with sustainable features.
- For customers: Charging while parking. Shopping centres and public facilities with charging points gain a clear competitive advantage.
New revenue streams for operators
Property owners can also use charging points as a source of income by:
- Charging user fees. The software solution of reev allows for multiple payment options and automated, secure billing of all charging processes at your stations.
- Offering additional services such as reservations or subscriptions.
Funding Support
To ease investment costs, the government offers various funding programmes:
- KfW programmes: Grants for building charging infrastructure.
- Regional funding: Additional support depending on the federal state.
Expert opinion: Opportunities through „Destination Charging“
Jörg-Koch Losekamm, Managing Director of Wattif Europe, explains:
“The Charging Point Obligation 2025 will drive the concept of ‘destination charging’. Property owners should take the opportunity to prepare early and take advantage of available funding.”
Take Action Now! Don’t wait until the last minute – lay the groundwork for a successful future for your commercial property. With the intelligent charging solution and energy management system of reev, station operators in semi-public (commercial) areas can benefit from an easy-to-use all-in-one solution. Our technology offers a simple and standardised entry into electromobility, seamlessly integrating nearly all common charging station models. This makes it possible for anyone to become an operator of their own charging infrastructure!
Steps for Commercial Property Owners
- Conduct a property audit: Assess which buildings are affected by the charging point obligation.
- Prioritise locations: Identify sites with the highest demand.
- Choose partners: Look for providers that offer comprehensive charging infrastructure solutions.
- Leverage funding: Apply for subsidies to reduce costs.
- Plan for the long term: Account for future EU requirements.
Conclusion: Smartly Leveraging Duties and Opportunities
The Charging Point Obligation 2025 is more than a legal requirement – it’s a unique opportunity to future-proof and enhance the competitiveness of your commercial property. With early planning, you can avoid fines while realising economic benefits and sustainability goals.
Take the opportunity to future-proof and make your property sustainable.
Explore reev’s intelligent solutions.