China, the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market, is set to maintain its dominance in public EV charging infrastructure, with 3.6 million public charging piles projected by the end of 2024. This would account for nearly 70% of the global total, according to a report by market research firm TrendForce.
South Korea is poised to lead in growth, with an annual increase of 39% in public charging pile deployment, aiming to achieve 500,000 units by 2025.
However, global public EV charging pile expansion is expected to slow, with growth rates declining from 60% in 2023 to 30% in 2024. TrendForce attributes this to constraints in land availability, grid planning, and a deceleration in new energy vehicle (NEV) market growth.
“Concentration of charging facilities in key regions continues to pose challenges,” the report noted. In China, nearly 20% of public charging piles are in Guangdong province.
Similarly, Europe sees 58% of its infrastructure located in the Netherlands, Germany, and France, while California accounts for 26% of the US total. These disparities contribute to route-planning difficulties and charging anxiety, hindering broader NEV adoption.
Despite challenges such as plateauing battery energy density and persistent range anxiety, TrendForce emphasized that public charging piles remain crucial in supporting the NEV market.
While growth is expected to slow, steady expansion is anticipated as global markets strive to address infrastructure gaps and enhance user confidence in EV adoption.