Düsseldorf court orders competitive tendering for EV charging at German motorway service areas
By Eve
Germany's Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf has ruled that Autobahn GmbH, the state-owned federal motorway operator, must conduct formal tender procedures for charging infrastructure at motorway service areas, upholding Fastned's application after nearly four years of legal proceedings. The court found the previous procurement practice, which allowed Tank & Rast and Ostdeutsche Autobahntankstellen to install chargers under existing fuel station concession agreements without competitive tender, to be unlawful. The decision is expected to have lasting implications for how charging infrastructure is procured across Germany's motorway network.
Why it matters: The ruling opens Germany's high-traffic motorway service areas to competitive procurement, creating new opportunities for CPOs and infrastructure providers previously locked out by incumbent fuel retailers. Autobahn GmbH must now design and run formal tender processes, potentially reshaping the commercial landscape for fast charging along one of Europe's most strategic road networks.