Smarter Software Enters Europe’s EV Charging Race

AI tools are beginning to guide EV charging growth in Europe, promising lower costs and less grid strain, though most efforts remain in pilot phases

19 Dec 2025

Europe’s electric vehicle charging sector is increasingly turning to software, with artificial intelligence starting to shape how networks are planned and operated as demand rises.

New academic research, including a preprint examining the Smart2Charge framework, suggests that AI-driven coordination could allow operators to make better use of existing infrastructure. Rather than managing each charger independently, the models treat networks as a whole, adjusting charging sessions in real time in response to demand, electricity prices and local grid constraints.

In simulated environments, the results are positive. Tests involving hundreds of vehicles across multiple stations showed that AI coordination reduced congestion and improved overall efficiency, cutting localised grid load by as much as 20 per cent. For an industry under pressure to scale rapidly without triggering costly grid upgrades, such gains are attractive.

Researchers caution, however, that the findings are based on controlled conditions. Real-world performance will depend on data quality, system integration and whether algorithms can operate reliably across different regions, grid structures and regulatory regimes.

Despite these uncertainties, interest from industry is growing. Charge point operators such as Shell Recharge, along with automation and infrastructure groups including Siemens, are testing intelligent control systems as a way to differentiate their offerings. More advanced software could improve charger utilisation, delay investment in grid capacity and align charging more closely with periods of renewable energy supply.

Regulation is also pushing the market in this direction. European policymakers are encouraging more flexible energy management to reduce peak demand and improve efficiency. AI-controlled charging fits within this approach, offering a way to support the expansion of electric vehicles without placing excessive strain on local electricity networks.

Adoption remains uneven. Many AI-based systems are still limited to pilot projects, while issues around data access, cybersecurity and coordination between utilities and charging operators have yet to be resolved.

Even so, the trajectory is clear. As Europe’s electric vehicle fleet grows, software intelligence is becoming an increasingly important complement to physical charging infrastructure, shaping how networks are built and managed in the years ahead.