The EU's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation

🌱 What does the regulation entail?

The EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) was officially published on 22 September 2023. It is part of the EU’s “Fit for 55” package, which aims to cut the EU’s GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030. The regulation aims to create an “efficient and user-friendly refueling experience” for consumers using electric recharging and hydrogen refueling stations in the EU. It also aims to bring about “transparent pricing, standardized minimum payment options and uniform customer information” across the EU.

🌱 What targets are set out?

The AFIR sets out both fleet-based and distance-based targets. Under the regulation, Member States have to “ensure a total power output of at least 1.3 kW for each battery electric car or van and 0.8 kW for each plug-in hybrid registered in their territory is provided through publicly accessible recharging stations”. Under the regulation, “fast recharging stations of at least 150kW for cars and vans need to be installed every 60 km along the EU’s main transport corridors” from 2025 onwards. For heavy-duty vehicles with a minimum output of 350kW, recharging stations must be deployed every 60 or 100 km along the EU’s main roads from 2025 onwards, with the coverage to be complete by 2030. Moreover, users “must be able to pay easily at recharging or refuelling points with payment cards or contactless devices and without a need for a subscription”. Additionally, operators “must provide consumers full information […] on the availability, waiting time or price at different stations”.

🌱 Why is public charging infrastructure important?

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the “[d]eployment of public charging infrastructure […] is critical for widespread EV adoption”. The IEA explains that “[w]hile most of the charging demand is currently met by home charging, publicly accessible chargers are increasingly needed [to assure] convenience and accessibility”. The IEA also highlights that particularly in dense urban areas, “where access to home charging is more limited, public charging infrastructure is a key enabler for EV adoption”.

🌱 How many public chargers are there in Europe?

According to the IEA, Europe had a total of 460 000 slow chargers and 70 000 fast chargers in 2022, which was respectively a 50% and 55% increase from 2021. When it comes to slow chargers, “[t]he Netherlands leads in Europe with 117 000, followed by around 74 000 in France and 64 000 in Germany”. Yet, “[t]he countries with the largest fast charger stock are Germany (over 12 000), France (9 700) and Norway (9 000)”.

🌱 How will additional public chargers be funded?

According to the IEA, the “[g]rowth in EV sales can only be sustained if charging demand is met by accessible and affordable infrastructure”. The European Investment Bank and the Commission have come to an agreement to “make over EUR 1.5 billion available by the end of 2023 for alternative fuels infrastructure, including electric fast charging”.