AFIR regulation: what changes for electric car charging stations and users in Europe

The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) is a new European regulation, which came into force on April 13, 2024, and aims to enhance and standardize the charging network for electric cars across Europe.

The goal is to make electric mobility more affordable, reliable, and user-friendly for all citizens of member states.

AFIR is a key step toward achieving climate neutrality by 2050 by reducing current inequalities in the availability and quality of charging infrastructure.

What is changing for electric car charging stations?

To ensure a uniform and high-quality network, the regulation includes several new rules and obligations:

• Increased geographic coverage: rapid charging stations (with a minimum power of 150 kW) are planned to be installed every 60 km along major European highways. For heavy-duty vehicles, the minimum power required is 350 kW, with charging points distributed every 60 km in the core TEN-T network and every 100 km in the integral network, to ensure full coverage by 2030.
• Ad hoc payment: all public charging stations installed after April 13, 2024 must allow payment without the need for subscriptions or contracts with specific suppliers. Payment terminals that accept credit and debit cards for direct current (DC) charging will then be mandatory, while secure methods such as QR codes may be used for alternating current (AC) charging.
• Smart connectivity: new columns must be connected to centralized systems to provide smart charging capabilities, including remote monitoring and control, optimization of charging times, and two-way power exchange (Vehicle-to-Grid, V2G) capabilities.
• Price transparency: the regulation requires that, at stations with a capacity of 50 kW or more, the price of recharging be clearly stated per kWh, possibly supplemented by a charge for the time the station is occupied, with the information visible directly on the station.
• Data sharing: operators will have to provide up-to-date data on their infrastructure, both static and dynamic, through national access points.
• Roaming and interoperability: the regulation promotes better interoperability between different e-mobility operators and service providers, facilitating access to infrastructure anywhere in Europe.

What changes for electric car users?

With the ad hoc payment system, users will be able to charge their electric car at any public station simply by using their favorite payment card or a QR code, without the need to subscribe.

Increased price transparency will enable motorists to know in advance the exact cost of recharging, avoiding unpleasant surprises.

In addition, with the mandatory increase in charging points, it will be easier to plan long-distance trips with greater confidence about the electric car's range.

Apps will be able to provide real-time data on the availability and status of stations, improving the user experience and management of charging times.

European electric mobility into the future

The AFIR Regulation is a decisive step in consolidating a more reliable, accessible and transparent electric car charging network across Europe.

With these new standards, user confidence in electric cars is strengthened and the transition to more sustainable mobility, which is crucial to achieving the European Union's climate goals, is accelerated.

Current status and prospects

Although some network operators and charging station operators have already implemented many of the features required by the AFIR regulation, the main goal of this legislation is to standardize standards across Europe. This will ensure a consistent and simplified charging experience for all users, regardless of country or provider.

The harmonization of charging infrastructure and services will help overcome technical and bureaucratic barriers, promoting faster and more sustainable growth of electric mobility across the continent.

FAQ: What is the AFIR regulation?

The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) is a new European Union regulation. It aims to accelerate the development and improve the user experience of electric car charging stations across Europe, making electric mobility more accessible and convenient.

About Powy

Powy is a company that owns, develops and operates Italy's leading independent network of public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, with a growing presence in Spain as well.

Founded in Turin, Italy in 2018, Powy is at the center of the transition to more sustainable mobility, offering an innovative charging infrastructure that uses only 100 percent renewable energy.

Powy 's network includes quick, fast, and ultra-fast charging solutions strategically placed in public and private parking lots, supermarkets, shopping malls, and transportation hubs to ensure maximum convenience and accessibility for EV drivers. Each station is equipped with advanced technologies to provide a reliable and efficient charging experience.

Learn more: wpowy.energy