ADAC test: Rest areas on motorways disappoint electric car drivers!

ADAC test: Rest areas on motorways disappoint electric car drivers!

Charging on German motorways is a challenge – this is shown by the current results of the ADAC test on charging conditions on the longest motorways in Germany. In a comprehensive study, the experts examined the charging infrastructure at 25 rest areas and truck stops from Schleswig-Holstein to Bavaria. The test stretched from May 5th to 16th, 2025 and produced a mixed picture.

In Hesse in particular, seven systems were evaluated. The results range from “good” to “very poor”. The best rest area in the country, “Hohenlohe Nord” on the A6, received the grade “sufficient”. The most successful truck stop, “Rosis Autohof Fulda Nord”, scored “good” because it not only had visible signage for the charging stations and good lighting, but also offered access to restaurants and sanitary facilities. In addition, charging stations with an output of 300/400 kW could be used, and the charging process was easily possible using a credit card, as reported East Hesse News.

Criticism of inadequate charging infrastructure

According to the ADAC test, the charging infrastructure nationwide needs to be improved. Over half of the systems tested received ratings ranging from “poor” to “very poor”. The “Gräfenhausen Ost” rest areas on the A5 and “Bühleck Nord” on the A44, which have been criticized for their lack of performance and inadequate signage, were in particularly bad shape. The ADAC demands that charging should be as easy and convenient as refueling. More and more powerful charging points are urgently needed to meet the growing needs of electric car drivers, while the current network coverage is not sufficient to meet the high requirements ADAC Southern Bavaria.

It is also astonishing that 22 percent of the systems only offer slow 50 kW charging stations and only a quarter of the locations tested are equipped with higher charging capacities (at least 150 kW). According to the test results, 31 systems, which corresponds to 62 percent, had ultra-fast charging stations with an output of 300 kW.

The path to electromobility

The nationwide development of the charging point network is crucial for promoting electromobility in Germany. The federal government has set itself the goal of building a nationwide network of one million charging points by 2030, which does not seem feasible without sufficient charging infrastructure. This is all the more important because inadequately developed charging points represent a major argument against buying electric cars, as are attributes of Statista show.

The advancement of charging infrastructure is important not only because of the number of charging stations, but also because of their charging performance. Higher performance minimizes charging times and increases acceptance of electric vehicles. There is currently a surplus of normal charging points in Germany with charging capacities of up to 22 kW, while the demand for fast chargers is continuously increasing.

In order to establish electric cars as a serious alternative in road transport, the expansion of the charging infrastructure must progress quickly. The ADAC test results reinforce the need for more comfort, transparency in prices and easy handling at rest stops to make driving electric vehicles more attractive.