Have you heard that the AFIR regulations have been enacted? These legally established rules will make it much easier for you to travel long distances with your electric vehicle in the near future.
Just as you can pay with a debit card in public transport today, the new AFIR legislation ensures that EV drivers no longer need a special charging card to pay for their charging session at public charging stations. This can now also be done with a debit or credit card. In addition, charging station operators are now required to make the costs of charging clear to the user before the charging session begins.
The AFIR regulations, which came into force on April 13, 2024, in Europe, require operators of publicly accessible charging stations throughout Europe to enable 'ad hoc' payments with debit and credit cards. Therefore, EV drivers no longer need a special subscription to pay at EV charging points.
This is of course very convenient, but there are some caveats. The new rules currently only apply to newly installed charging stations. From 2027, the new regulations will apply to all existing charging stations that operate with a power of 50 kW or more. For chargers that operate with less power, i.e., the majority of publicly accessible AC charging stations, this ad hoc payment obligation does not apply.
Central payment points are also allowed
It is not mandatory that each charging column be equipped with its own card terminal. Charging stations can also opt for a central payment point. Nevertheless, it will become increasingly easier for EV drivers to pay for charging sessions directly with their bank card, which is very convenient.
Transparent prices
The AFIR regulations that have come into force also cover other issues. It is stated that "the prices charged by providers must be reasonable, transparent, and non-discriminatory." This means that operators of charging stations must make the costs clear to users before starting a charging session. There can be no hidden costs. The price must be transparently displayed, including e-roaming fees and other fees or costs charged by the provider.
Every 60 kilometers a fast charging station
In the coming years, the AFIR regulations will bring about further positive effects, particularly for EV drivers. Along the TEN-T highway network (Trans-European Transport Network), there will be a fast-charging station every 60 kilometers starting at the end of 2025, with charging points that operate at a minimum of 150 kW. For truck charging points, a minimum power of 350 kW will be required. Especially in other European countries, where there are currently significant gaps in the fast charging network, this will help EV drivers go much more peace of mind on the road. Range anxiety will thus become more and more a thing of the past on holiday trips. Also, information about the availability of charging stations, the charges incurred, and the expected waiting times must be displayed at the respective charging stations.