The European Parliament presented AFIR in July 2021; it came into effect on April 13, 2024. The regulation contains specific targets for all transport sectors: road, maritime, and air. In this article, we will focus on road transport, on EV charging, to be more precise.
What is AFIR?
AFIR is the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation, a landmark EU law to accelerate the transition towards alternative fuels. AFIR is the most significant legislation to date for electric vehicle (EV) charging because it turns previously 'vague' guidelines into legally binding mandates for all EU member states. As an integral part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, it focuses on decarbonising transport to bring Europe closer to its climate-neutral ambitions by 2050.
'AFIR is the most significant legislation to date for electric vehicle (EV) charging'
What are AFIR's goals?
The AFIR regulation aims to ensure:
- Minimum infrastructure to support the required uptake of alternative fuel vehicles across all transport modes and in all EU Member States to meet the EU’s climate objectives;
- Fullinteroperability of the infrastructure; and
- Comprehensive user information and adequate payment options at alternative fuels infrastructure.
AFIR's six most important consequences for EV charging
The European Parliament found that EV charging was developing unevenly across Europe. This lack of common standards and interoperability created a confusing, unreliable experience for drivers—a hurdle the new EU regulations are designed to clear.
AFIR lays the foundations for the development of eMobility and EV charging infrastructure. It includes a ban on the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2035 and various regulations to improve interoperability and payments.
AFIR also mandates that all public charging stations comply with a set of requirements that are related to pricing, payments, billing, interoperability, and third-party data sharing.
Here are AFIR's most important principles:
- Deploying a vast EV charging infrastructure
- Enabling ad hoc payments via debit or credit cards
- Boosting price transparency
- Facilitating smart charging
- Promoting interoperability and open data
- Offering better accessibility for people with reduced mobility
1. Deploying a vast EV charging infrastructure (TEN-T)
AFIR wants the EU Member States to fulfil two objectives: a distance-based target for Europe’s primary corridors, known as the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
Cars, vans, and heavy-duty vehicles (HDV)
The regulation requires all Member States to provide fast charging with a minimum capacity of 150 kW every 60 km along the TEN-T network. Plus, charge stations need to be installed with at least 1.3 kW of charging capacity for every battery-electric light-duty vehicle (a car or van) and 0.8 kW for each plug-in hybrid EV.
Heavy-duty vehicles: AFIR also asks for charging stations with a minimum capacity of 350 kW to be installed every 60 km along the TEN-T network and every 100 km on the larger TEN-T comprehensive network starting in 2025, with full network coverage by 2030. It further states the need for charging hubs with a total power capacity of at least 400 kW and to include at least one charging point with an individual capacity of at least 150 kW.
Hydrogen refuelling
In addition, AFIR calls for hydrogen refuelling infrastructure to serve both cars and trucks to be deployed from 2030 onwards in all urban nodes and every 200 km along the core network.
2. Enabling ad hoc payments via debit or credit cards
The AFIR regulation calls for ease of payment for EV drivers who are not subscribed to a particular eMobility service provider (eMSP) or who areroaming. The objective is to offer a smooth driving experience and ensure EV drivers can pay via debit or credit card whenever they want. So, the regulation calls for ad hoc payment options at all charge stations via a payment terminal, in addition to existing payment options.
A contactless reader is thus mandatory for all the new charge stations with a power output of 50 kW, installed as of 14 April, 2024. And, retrofitting must be completed by 2027 for charge stations installed before this date. If a contactless reader cannot be installed (as in the case of AC charge stations), a QR code for an ad hoc payment method must be available.
3. Boosting price transparency
EV drivers often wonder how much the EV charging session will cost. AFIR addresses this issue and ensures drivers have access to accurate pricing information before starting the session.
- For DC charge stations, pricing can be displayed on the payment terminal’s screen or the charge station screen, if the model is equipped with one.
- For AC charge stations, pricing can be displayed via a QR code page, either through mobile apps or an ad hoc charging web page.
In addition, AFIR calls for non-discriminatory pricing. This means EV drivers would not need to pay additional fees for roaming abroad.
Furthermore, the price component needs to be presented with precise specifications to ensure EV drivers know exactly what they are paying for, so they know what to expect and compare tariffs. The pricing for EV charging has been based on different models so far, such as:
- Time: For how long was the vehicle charged?
- Energy: How much electricity was used during the session?
- Fixed: A monthly subscription with a fixed price.
- Hybrid: A combination of time- and energy-based pricing models.
AFIR aims for the standardisation of pricing models. This means that for all the charging stations above 50 kW, the pricing will need to be energy-based, i.e., kWh. For charging stations less than 50 kW, prices will first be given per kWh, then per minute, followed by the price per charge or any other price component, if applicable.
The regulation also states that charge point operators (CPOs) can charge additional fees if EV owners block a parking space long after the charge is complete. However, this fee needs to be charged by the minute and must be clearly communicated.
4. Facilitating smart charging
According to AFIR, ‘operators of recharging points shall ensure that all publicly accessible recharging points operated by them and built after 13 April, 2024, or renovated after 14 Octobre, 2024, are capable of smart recharging.’ The regulation calls for all charge stations to be digitally connected, share real-time data to validate payments, track energy consumption, and optimise the charging experience.
Smart charging means increasing or decreasing the maximum charge rate of an EV over a set period of time. So, by intelligently optimising the management of EV charging processes, you can distribute charging sessions more evenly across different timeslots during the night and early morning. It is a way to optimise power distribution across a grid and leads to considerable savings for grid operators, CPOs, charge point owners, and EV drivers.
With smart charging enabled, not only are EV drivers well-informed and empowered, but it shifts the loads from expensive peak times to periods with lower energy prices, which results in lower costs for everyone. Also, you can make better use of available renewable energy sources.
5. Promoting interoperability and open data
AFIR calls for operators of public charging stations to provide static and dynamic data about their stations for free. This requirement came into force on April 14, 2025.
Real-time data availability will make it easier for EV drivers to compare prices between different charge stations.
- Dynamic data includes details such as whether a charge station is operational or offline, whether it's available or in use, its ad hoc price, and its source of energy.
- Static data includes information like location and opening hours, number of plugs, charging power, number of disabled parking spaces, and more.
Furthermore, AFIR also calls for collaboration among Member States on charging infrastructure to enhance cross-border mobility for EV drivers. By digitally connecting to the e-mobility ecosystem, EV drivers will be able to easily travel from one country to another. This is called (EV) roaming.
To make interoperability a reality for open data, each operator of a public charge station must set up an Application Programme Interface (API) that provides free and unrestricted access to static and dynamic data.
This data can also be used by other stakeholders to better plan distribution network expansions. For instance, grid operators can consider EV charging plans, consult with charge point operators on grid expansion, and leverage the potential flexibility of smart charging and V2G to operate their existing grids more efficiently.
6. Offering better accessibility for people with reduced mobility
AFIR calls for an accessible charging infrastructure. This means the infrastructure must be comfortable for the elderly and people with reduced mobility and disabilities. This means an operator will have to make sure there is sufficient space around the parking areas, charge station cables are easy to manage, and emergency buttons are available, among other things.
AFIR 2026 updates
In 2026, the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation moves from its initial roll-out phase into a more technical and data-driven stage. While major changes for ad-hoc payments and price transparency took effect in 2024, 2026 introduces strict requirements for communication standards and real-time data sharing.
The most significant elements changing or becoming mandatory in 2026 are:
1. Coverage targets (End of 2025 into 2026)
By the start of 2026, the first major distance-based targets for the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) must be met:
- Publicly accessible charging hubs for cars and vans must be available every 60 km along the TEN-T core network.
- These hubs must offer at least 400 kW total power output, including at least one individual charging point capable of 150 kW.
2. Mandatory ISO 15118 standard (January 2026)
This is the most critical technical shift for 2026. As of January 8, 2026, all newly installed or substantially upgraded publicly accessible AC charging points must support the ISO 15118 standard. This standard moves away from basic analogue communication via Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to digital communication via Power Line Communication (PLC).
Good to know is that the ISO 15118 standard serves as the foundation for smart charging and the eventual rollout of bidirectional charging (V2G).
Plug & Charge (PnC)
Plug & Charge forms the core of ISO 15118. It allows for automatic authentication. A driver can simply plug in, and the car communicates with the charger to handle payment and identity without needing an app or RFID card.
3. Standardised real-time data (April 2026)
While operators were required to provide data starting in 2025, the format became strictly regulated on April 14, 2026. All publicly accessible charging points must make their data available in the DATEX II standard.
Real-time information: Operators must provide real-time updates (ideally within 1 minute) on:
- Availability: Whether the charger is in use, available, or out of order.
- Ad hoc price: The current price per kWh (and any occupancy fees).
NAP reporting: This data must be transmitted to National Access Points (NAPs), allowing third-party apps (like Google Maps or specialised EV routing apps) to show accurate, live status across all of Europe.
4. AFIR progress assessment and review (Throughout 2026)
In January 2026, the European Commission conducted its first major assessment of the National Policy Frameworks.
- The EU will evaluate whether Member States are actually on track to meet their 2027 and 2030 targets.
- There will be a specific review of payment methods and price transparency to see if current rules (like QR codes for chargers under 50kW) are actually working for consumers or if stricter rules (such as mandatory physical card readers on all chargers) are needed.
Harmonised EV charging experience
Overall, AFIR positions electricity as a versatile fuel that goes beyond just powering cars. By making eMobility more accessible and transparent, AFIR offers a more seamless experience for EV drivers while helping to balance the power grid and speed up the shift to a carbon-free future. This regulation ensures that charging standards are the same across Europe, making sustainable travel accessible to everyone.
Harmonising regulations around EV charging and EV infrastructure means that Europe is paving the way for eMobility. With all the lessons learned in the past decade, sustainable mobility for all is increasingly becoming a reality. We're not there yet, but AFIR has directed European countries and EV charging stakeholders in the right direction.
Do you have any questions about how AFIR affects your business? Don't hesitate to contact us. We're happy to help!
