EU Pushes EV Adoption via Salt Batteries and Fast‑Growing Charging Network

A new salt‑based battery technology, promoted by German authorities and firms such as Nio Germany, could lessen Europe’s reliance on Chinese lithium supplies and support the concept of swappable battery packs. In May 2026, German registrations recorded almost 60,000 pure‑electric cars, a rise driven by a refreshed federal purchase incentive and high gasoline prices linked to geopolitical tensions. An Ipsos survey found 63 % of respondents view swap batteries as preferable to fixed packs.

Across the European Union, the rollout of public charging infrastructure is outpacing electric‑vehicle sales. By the end of 2025 the EU counted about 1.1 million public chargers, five times the 2020 level, thanks to the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which obliges each member state to provide at least 1.3 kW of public charging per electric vehicle. All EU countries except Malta have met the targets, delivering 180 % of the fleet‑based goal. Ultra‑fast chargers (≥150 kW) now cover 79 % of the core TEN‑V network, with remaining gaps mainly in Eastern Europe and Spain. Austria alone registered 40,060 new electric passenger cars by June 2026, representing 24.3 % of all new registrations and a 27 % year‑on‑year increase.