Attention: soon to be “black Saturday for EV drivers”

KPMG says it conducted research on the number of Dutch people who take an electric car on winter vacation during spring break. They are expected to be between 8,000 and 10,000 and they all need to load somewhere. It is expected that stops at fast-charging stations will be made mainly in the Frankfurt area.

Germany has invested quite a bit in expanding the number of fast chargers in recent years, but the number of electric cars has also increased sharply. Despite the continuous expansion of charging infrastructure, Germany’s charging network is not yet able to cope with such a large flow of electric cars.

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Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, the first day of spring break for Central and Northern Netherlands, is even being called a “black Saturday for EV drivers.” Long queues are expected to form at the charging stations.

According to KPMG, anyone who wants to drive their electric car to the Alps without any problems would do well to charge before Cologne, for example at Ladepark Kreuz Hilden and then, if the car’s range allows, somewhere around Mannheim or Würzburg. Another option is to take the A45 freeway from Dortmund to the south. Along that route there are about 90 fast chargers.

Either way, those taking their electric cars on winter vacation this spring break should expect crowds at fast-charging stations. Also on the way back. Wherever you go, make sure you know where fast chargers can be found along the route and look for alternatives in advance if you don’t want to join the back of the line.