The popular KfW subsidy programmes for wallboxes are history. Since 2023, there has been no nationwide funding for private charging stations. However, some federal states and municipalities still offer grants. We show you where funding is available in 2026 – and which alternative is worthwhile if your state comes up empty.
Key Takeaways
- KfW 440, 441, and 442 have all been discontinued – no relaunch planned
- North Rhine-Westphalia offers the best programme for individuals (up to €1,500) – applications possible again
- Bavaria launches new programme in spring 2026
- Berlin extends WELMO until 2027
- New federal programme for multi-unit dwellings expected in 2026
Federal Programmes: All Discontinued
The KfW Bank has completely ended its wallbox subsidies:
| Programme | Target Group | Status |
|---|---|---|
| KfW 440 | Individuals | Discontinued 2021 |
| KfW 441 | Businesses | Discontinued January 2023 |
| KfW 442 | Private + PV + Storage | Discontinued September 2023 |
The KfW 442 programme (“Solar Power for Electric Cars”) was particularly popular – funding was exhausted within a day. A relaunch is not planned.
New Federal Programme for Multi-Unit Dwellings
In the “Master Plan Charging Infrastructure 2030”, the federal government has announced a new programme:
- Target group: Homeowner associations (WEG) and multi-unit residential buildings
- Scope: Wallbox + grid connection + electrical installation
- Status: Details to be published during 2026
- Prerequisite: Dependent on available budget funds
Federal States with Active Funding
North Rhine-Westphalia: The Best Programme for Individuals
progres.nrw – Low-Emission Mobility is currently the most attractive state programme in Germany.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Funding rate | 40% of costs |
| Maximum | €1,500 per charging point |
| Target group | Individuals, businesses, municipalities |
| Prerequisite | Own PV system OR green electricity contract |
| Status | Applications possible again from February 2026 |
Important: Application must be submitted BEFORE purchase and installation!
What is funded:
- Purchase and installation of the wallbox
- Grid connection and electrical installation
- Civil engineering and foundations
- Energy management systems
Baden-Württemberg: Charge@BW for Commercial
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Funding rate | Up to 40% |
| Maximum | €2,500 per charging point |
| Target group | Businesses, municipalities, HOAs |
| Status | Programme expired end of 2025 – check for successor |
| Minimum funding amount | €5,500 |
Note: The Charge@BW programme expired on 31 December 2025. Check with L-Bank whether a successor programme will be launched.
For HOAs: Only electrical pre-installation was funded, not the wallbox itself.
Contact: [email protected]
Berlin: WELMO for Businesses
| Charging Type | Funding Rate | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| AC up to 22 kW | 50% | €2,500 per charging point |
| DC fast charger | 50% | €30,000 per charging point |
| Grid connection (low voltage) | 50% | €5,500 |
| Grid connection (medium voltage) | 50% | €55,000 |
Target group: SMEs, self-employed, freelancers, housing companies
Important: Application must be submitted BEFORE commissioning – programme extended until 2027.
Bavaria: New Programme 2026
The “Publicly Accessible Charging Infrastructure 2.0” programme expired at the end of 2025. The new funding guideline “Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles in Bavaria” has been in effect since January 2026.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Status | First application round expected in spring 2026 |
| Target group | Public charging infrastructure |
For e-truck charging infrastructure: Transport companies can receive up to 50% (SMEs) of costs funded, maximum €250,000 per application.
Schleswig-Holstein: Public Infrastructure
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Funding rate | Up to 50% |
| Maximum | €30,000 per fast charger (100+ kW) |
| Status | Programme expired September 2025 |
Check with WTSH whether a new programme will be launched.
Federal States Without State Funding
In these 12 federal states there is currently no wallbox funding at the state level:
- Brandenburg
- Bremen
- Hamburg (ELBE project ended)
- Hesse
- Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- Lower Saxony
- Rhineland-Palatinate
- Saarland
- Saxony
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Thuringia (Solar Invest ended)
However: Check municipal programmes and utility company offers!
Cities and Municipalities with Funding
Even if your federal state offers no funding, it’s worth looking at local programmes:
| City | Funding | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Munich | up to €500 | max. 11 kW, green electricity |
| Stuttgart | €1,000 | Combined with PV system |
| Cologne | up to €250 | Smart wallbox |
| Grünwald (near Munich) | 50%, max. €1,500 | max. 11 kW, green electricity |
| Düsseldorf | 50%, max. €2,000 | Currently paused |
| Limburg | 25%, max. €500-1,000 | With EV purchase |
| Darmstadt | €399 | Check status |
Utility Company Grants
Many energy providers offer bonuses for customers:
| Provider | Grant | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Mainzer Stadtwerke | up to €700 | Mainz |
| Stadtwerke Frankfurt/Oder | €500 | Brandenburg |
| EMB Energie Mark Brandenburg | €200 | Brandenburg |
| Stadtwerke Schwedt | €200 | Brandenburg |
| Stadtwerke Dachau | €125 (€25/year) | Bavaria |
Tip: Do the maths! Sometimes utility tariffs are more expensive than the grant is worth.
Tax Benefits for Businesses
Even without direct funding, businesses can benefit:
Special Depreciation Until End of 2027
- Period: Until 31 December 2027
- Benefit: Up to 40% special depreciation in the first year
- Applies to: Wallbox investments and e-vehicles up to €100,000
This significantly improves liquidity especially for SMEs – use it now before the programme expires!
No Funding? The Alternative: Earn Money Instead of Spending It
If your federal state offers no funding, there’s another way: Turn your wallbox into an income source.
With cocharge you can:
- Make your charging station publicly accessible
- Keep 85% of the revenue
- Earn an average of €170 per month
- Recoup the investment in approximately 12 months
How It Works:
- You already have a wallbox (or acquire one)
- cocharge integrates your station into all major charging networks
- EV drivers find and use your station
- You receive monthly payouts – fully automated
Your station appears on:
- Google Maps and Apple Maps
- EnBW, Shell Recharge, Maingau, EWE Go
- BMW, VW, Mercedes, Audi navigation systems
- 15+ additional charging apps
Calculation Example:
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Charging sessions per day | 2 |
| kWh per charging session | 25 |
| Price per kWh | €0.59 |
| Monthly revenue | approx. €885 |
| Your income (85%) | approx. €750 |
The GHG quota comes on top – an additional bonus for every kWh sold.
Overview Table: All Federal States
| Federal State | Private | Commercial | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | ❌ | ⏳ Check for successor | Charge@BW expired end of 2025 |
| Bavaria | ❌ | ⏳ Spring 2026 | New programme in effect |
| Berlin | ❌ | ✅ WELMO | Extended until 2027 |
| Brandenburg | ❌ | ❌ | Check utilities |
| Bremen | ❌ | ❌ | – |
| Hamburg | ❌ | ❌ | ELBE ended |
| Hesse | Municipal | ❌ | Limburg, Darmstadt |
| Mecklenburg-W. Pomerania | ❌ | ❌ | Stadtwerke Schwerin |
| Lower Saxony | ❌ | ❌ | – |
| NRW | ✅ progres.nrw | ✅ progres.nrw | From February 2026 |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | Municipal | Fast charger | Landau, Lambrecht |
| Saarland | ❌ | Public transport | – |
| Saxony | ❌ | Limited | SAB programmes |
| Saxony-Anhalt | ❌ | AGVO | Energy efficiency |
| Schleswig-Holstein | ❌ | ⏳ | Programme expired |
| Thuringia | ❌ | Public transport | Solar Invest ended |
Tips for Applications
- Always apply BEFORE purchase – retrospective applications are rejected
- Mind deadlines – many programmes are time-limited
- Green electricity proof – almost all programmes require green power
- Check calibration compliance – mandatory for public use
- Check stackability – some programmes can be combined
Conclusion: Funding Is Nice, Revenue Is Better
The subsidy landscape for wallboxes has deteriorated significantly. If you don’t live in NRW or don’t have a business in Baden-Württemberg or Berlin, you usually come away empty-handed.
The good news: With the right strategy, your wallbox earns the money back itself. Instead of waiting for grants, you can generate income immediately with cocharge.
Free consultation: Find out how much your wallbox can earn – in just 30 minutes.