The Building Electromobility Infrastructure Act (GEIG) is a groundbreaking legal regulation that promotes the expansion of the Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in German buildings in accordance with the European Buildings Directive EPBD 2018 through a Charging infrastructure obligation is driving forward. What was a slow process until it came into force in Germany on March 1, 2021, has accelerated rapidly since then. Broad public acceptance of electric vehicles as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional vehicles and for reducing greenhouse gas emissions has increased.
Objectives of the GEIG
The main objective of the GEIG is to promote electromobility in Germany by expanding the charging infrastructure in buildings. Specifically, the law aims to improve the suitability of electric vehicles for everyday use and reduce the barrier to switching to electric mobility. The provision of charging stations in buildings is intended to reduce vehicle users' range anxiety and make charging electric vehicles more convenient and accessible.
Charging infrastructure obligation & measures of the GEIG
The GEIG stipulates that a certain number of charging stations for electric vehicles must be installed in certain new buildings and major renovations of buildings with more than ten parking spaces for cars. The exact number of charging points depends on the size of the building and the number of parking spaces. This means that the owners and operators of commercial buildings or companies are obliged to provide the necessary infrastructure for charging electric vehicles. These can be office and company buildings, warehouses and production halls, parking garages, hotels, shopping centers or other buildings, for example. The GEIG officially stipulates this:
- In the case of new non-residential buildings with more than six parking spaces, at least every third parking space must have cables to the charging infrastructure. Of these, at least one charging point must be fully developed.
- When renovating non-residential buildings with more than ten parking spaces, at least every fifth parking space must have lines to the charging infrastructure. Of these, at least one charging point must be installed.
- For existing non-residential buildings with more than 20 parking spaces, at least one charging point must be installed from 01.01.2025.
The GEIG also specifies the technical requirements that must be observed when installing the charging stations. These include, for example, the connected load of the charging points or accessibility for people with disabilities. These requirements are intended to ensure a high-quality and, above all, accessible charging infrastructure. Penalties of up to 10,000 euros are due for non-compliance with the law.
Significance, impact and criticism
The Building Electromobility Infrastructure Act promotes the expansion of the charging infrastructure in order to improve the suitability of electric vehicles for everyday use. The GEIG thus represents a milestone for public acceptance of electric mobility and creates clear specifications and obligations for the expansion of charging infrastructure in commercial buildings. However, companies or owners and operators of "non-residential buildings" complain about the bureaucratic burden and the fact that the costs of installing charging stations can quickly become very high, especially when renovating older buildings. The grid expansion required in some cases also drives up the cost of a conversion. Other critics complain that the GEIG does not adequately address the evolving technology and changing requirements for the charging infrastructure. The requirements of the GEIG could potentially lead to outdated charging technologies and hinder the use of innovative solutions or alternative charging infrastructure.