Ice Lolly Machine,Ice Lolly Making Machine,Bar Popsicle Machine,Stainless Steel Ice Lolly Machine JIANGMEN PRO-TAYLOR REFRIGERATION CO., LTD. , https://www.protaylor.com
Getting the AFIR right to fuel Europe’s bold climate ambitions
The EV charging infrastructure we build today is the foundation for a cleaner, more sustainable future. To support this vision, Europe needs forward-thinking regulations that encourage and accelerate the transition to greener transportation. That’s exactly what the European Union (EU) is working on with its proposed Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). This regulation aims to set unified standards for EV charging across all 27 EU countries, ensuring that the infrastructure is not only widespread but also efficient and user-friendly.
Let’s take a closer look at what AFIR entails, why it matters, and how it can be improved to better serve both drivers and the environment.
The AFIR introduces pan-EU rules and targets for developing public refueling and recharging points beyond just electrification. For this discussion, we’ll focus on its impact on EV charging infrastructure. Key principles of AFIR include fairness, openness, and accessibility. Proposed in July 2021, the regulation is currently in its final negotiation phase and is expected to come into effect by late 2023 or early 2024.
At EVBox, we fully support the goals of AFIR—especially when it comes to promoting transparency, data sharing, and a harmonized ecosystem that supports large-scale investments in EV charging. However, we believe there are areas where the proposal could be refined to better align with current consumer behavior and industry trends.
One of the most debated proposals involves requiring every publicly accessible EV charging station to have a payment card reader. The idea is to make the process as simple as paying for gas at a traditional pump. While this may seem like a logical step, the reality is more complex.
In fact, 95 percent of European EV drivers today don’t use credit or debit cards to pay for charging. Instead, they rely on subscriptions, apps, and roaming services—similar to how people stream music, watch TV, or hail a taxi. Requiring payment card readers on every station could slow down innovation and complicate the user experience, especially for those who already have seamless payment options.
A better solution is EV roaming, which allows drivers to charge at any station without worrying about contracts or multiple accounts. This approach mirrors the EU’s "Roam-like-at-Home" policy for mobile data, making it easier for drivers to move freely across borders.
Currently, there is no true single market for EV charging in the EU. While the concept of roaming exists, the regulation still needs a common framework to ensure consistency across member states. Implementing a minimum roaming standard would significantly improve the user experience and help scale the network faster.
For DC fast chargers, adding a payment terminal might be feasible, as these stations are larger and can accommodate the hardware without major cost increases. But for slower AC chargers, the cost and technical challenges are far greater. Retrofitting existing AC stations with card readers would likely lead to higher prices for users, with little real benefit.
Moreover, if the AFIR mandates that all existing stations be retrofitted, many operational AC stations could be taken offline. With a shortage of skilled technicians, this could actually slow down the rollout of EV infrastructure instead of speeding it up.
We need to ask ourselves: Is it worth investing in outdated technology when we already have more advanced solutions available? At EVBox, we believe the answer is clearly no.
The AFIR is a positive first step toward a unified EV charging market in Europe. It has the potential to transform the driving experience, making it more convenient and reliable for all users. But to truly meet the EU’s climate goals for 2030 and beyond, the regulation must evolve with the times.
We urge policymakers to embrace innovative technologies like EV roaming and avoid sticking to old models. The choices made today will shape the future of electric mobility in Europe. Let’s make sure they’re smart, sustainable, and user-centered.
Zuzana PúÄiková is the Director of Public Policy Europe at EVBox since February 2023. In this role, she also serves as Chair of the Management Committee of ChargeUp Europe and as a European Climate Pact Ambassador. She advocates for electromobility as a key driver of sustainability and works to shape policies that support its growth. A Slovak national, Zuzana has over 15 years of experience in public affairs, digital policy, and consumer issues across European institutions, the private sector, and media. She holds a degree in Economics and an M.A. in European and International Affairs.