Global public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is projected to reach 9.01 million stations worldwide by 2026. Growth is expected to show regional divergence, with China and Europe continuing steady expansion while momentum in the US slows.
In 2025, the number of public EV charging stations worldwide surpassed 7.11 million across more than 30 countries, representing an annual growth rate of 33.2%. The market is concentrated, with the top eight countries accounting for 88% of total installations, including China, South Korea, the US, the Netherlands, and Germany.
China leads the global market with 4.759 million stations, roughly 67% of the global total. By 2026, China is expected to add more than 1.346 million new stations, bringing its total to 6.105 million, supported by government policies and large EV sales volumes.
Europe is projected to add over 219,000 stations in 2026, reaching a regional total of 1.47 million, aided by stricter carbon emission limits and national subsidy programs. Germany is expected to surpass the Netherlands to become the fourth-largest market globally if it continues its pace of adding approximately 40,000 stations annually.
The US market is expected to grow more slowly due to the phase-out of EV tax incentives, with only 37,000 new stations projected for 2026, bringing the total to about 275,000.
Overall, the global public EV charging network is set to expand rapidly, but with China leading growth, Europe maintaining steady expansion, and the US facing slower momentum.
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