Major Insolvencies Shake German E-Charging Sector with Focus on NRW

Several prominent companies in Germany's electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure sector have recently filed for insolvency, highlighting economic challenges in this green technology niche. Claus Heinemann Elektro GmbH, known for its Charge One brand of EV charging stations, declared insolvency under self-administration as of late November 2025. Based in Unterföhring near Munich, the company operates numerous charging stations across North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), including the cities of Dortmund, Bochum, Cologne, and Bonn. Despite the insolvency, the company assures that E-Auto drivers in NRW will experience no disruption in charging services. Claus Heinemann Elektro GmbH is actively seeking robust investors to stabilize and grow the business, with approximately 500 employees receiving insolvency benefits for the next three months.

Concurrently, three subsidiaries of the Langgroup—Technolit GmbH, Lang Service GmbH (LSG), and Iwetec—also filed for insolvency as part of a strategic restructuring plan. These companies are undergoing a protective shield procedure, authorized by the Fulda District Court, which permits them to continue operations while restructuring. The goal is to merge the subsidiaries into a single dealer and service provider, enhancing their market offerings. This process affects about 930 employees whose wages are secured by the Federal Employment Agency during the restructuring period, expected to conclude by mid-March 2026. Importantly, Langgroup’s other subsidiaries, Hotrega GmbH and Wilpeg GmbH, remain financially healthy and are not involved in insolvency proceedings.

The insolvencies come amid broader economic difficulties in Germany, including rising wage costs that have previously forced job reductions within these companies. The approaches differ: Claus Heinemann Elektro GmbH is pursuing insolvency under self-administration to attract investors while maintaining operations, whereas Langgroup’s subsidiaries use a protective shield mechanism focused on internal restructuring.

This wave of insolvencies within key players of Germany’s EV charging industry underscores both the volatility and significance of this sector as the country advances toward sustainable transportation goals. The impacts on employees and regional operations in NRW and beyond illustrate the challenges faced by companies striving to balance growth with economic pressures in the evolving electric mobility landscape.