Türkiye has invested about $500-600 million into electric vehicle EV charging devices, connection infrastructure and distribution transformers, while 2035 targets is calculated to require an additional investment of around $1.2 billion, according to an expert.
EVs are rapidly gaining ground worldwide thanks to their environmentally friendly technology, contribution to sustainability goals, and role in reducing fossil fuel consumption, triggering a fundamental transformation in Türkiye's fuel sector.
With energy transition policies, government incentives, and a wider range of models offered by automakers, the number of electric vehicles on Türkiye's roads is rising quickly. This momentum makes the simultaneous development and expansion of charging infrastructure essential.
- Charging sockets reach 37,000 in October
The number of registered electric cars, which was only 565 in 2015, reached 332,010 as of October 2025, while the number of charging sockets nationwide reached approximately 37,000 in October, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute and Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA).
Berkay Somali, chairman of the E-Mobility Operators Association (EMOD), told Anadolu that Türkiye's charging infrastructure is experiencing rapid growth with around 15,000 new sockets installed in one year.
Pointing out that the current infrastructure consists of 21,000 AC (alternating current) sockets and 16,000 DC (direct current – fast charging) sockets, Somali provided details on investment costs: "Investment costs vary depending on the type of socket. The average cost is around $1,000 per AC socket and between $20,000 and $30,000 per DC socket."
"The total investment made in the sector to date, considering only charging devices and connection infrastructure, including distribution transformers, stands at $500–600 million," he said.
- 150,000 sockets required for 1.5 million EVs
Somali noted that EMRA's medium-term projections target 143,000 sockets by 2030 and 273,000 sockets by 2035.
"These targets mean a need for approximately 240,000 additional sockets compared to the current level. Reaching the 2035 targets is calculated to require an additional investment of around $1.2 billion," he added.
Somali further explained user charging habits, noting that electric vehicle owners generally prefer to charge their vehicles while parked at workplaces, homes, or shopping centers, where low-power AC charging stations are typically used.
He explained that DC fast-charging stations are mostly preferred during travel for "the fastest possible charging."
"In sector planning, it is envisaged that 20-25 vehicles will correspond to each DC socket and 9-10 vehicles to each AC socket. Within this framework, a minimum of 150,000 sockets is calculated to be required for 1.5 million electric vehicles," he said.
- Transformer costs challenge infrastructure expansion
Somali stressed that infrastructure costs represent one of the sector's biggest challenges.
"In cases where grid capacity is insufficient, companies are forced to install their own transformers, which significantly raises investment costs. Transformer investments constitute a major item in total costs," he said.
The proportional increase in the number of sockets will inevitably increase the energy demand drawn from the grid, necessitating further infrastructure investments, he added.
By Fuat Kabakci
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
