State aid: Commission approves €8 million Danish scheme to support installation of publicly accessible electric charging stations along Danish road network

The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules a €8 million (approximately 60 million DKK) Danish scheme to support a nationwide programme of investments in publicly accessible electric charging stations along the Danish road network. The measure consists of three parts, which respectively serve the construction or upgrade of (i) high-power charging stations in urban areas; (ii) high-power charging stations in rural areas; and (iii) ultra-fast charging stations along the motorway network. Under the scheme, the support will take the form of non-repayable direct grants. The beneficiaries will be selected through an open and transparent application procedure. The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, and in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions. The Commission considers that the measure will encourage the uptake of low-emissions vehicles, thus contributing to the reduction of CO₂ and pollutant emissions, in line with the EU’s climate and environmental objectives and the goals set by European Green Deal. Furthermore, the Commission found that the aid will be granted through a competitive process and that the necessary safeguards limiting the aid to the minimum will be in place. The Commission concluded that the positive effects of the scheme on EU environmental and climate goals outweighs any potential distortion of competition and trade brought about by the support. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.58035 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.