Learn more about the recent, widely-mentioned European regulation touching upon the EV business.

Experienced content writer with over 4 years of experience in the energy sector and many industry-related publications released.

Gabriela Stawiarska

The European Union has made significant strides towards reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and promoting the use of alternative energy sources (especially in the more recent years). In order to facilitate this transition, the EU has implemented a series of regulations governing the development of alternative fuel infrastructure throughout member states. These regulations aim to create a more uniform and interconnected network of refueling stations for electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and compressed natural gas vehicles, among others. By providing incentives for the construction of new refueling infrastructure, the EU hopes to encourage more consumers to adopt clean energy vehicles and play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While there are still challenges to be addressed, such as the cost of building and maintaining alternative fuel infrastructure, the EU's regulatory framework is a promising step towards a more sustainable transportation sector.

Just briefly looking at the initiatives proposed within the last few years, one can already tell how much in this regard is happening across the EU.

In December 2019, the European Commission launched its landmark 

initiative with a mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in transport by 90%. Ambitiously aiming for climate neutrality through 2050, this far-reaching plan quickly gained momentum. In September 2020, the European Commission set a lofty goal - to reduce net emissions of greenhouse gases by at least 55% by 2030 and ultimately strive for climate neutrality across Europe. On 21 April 2021, this ambition took one step closer to reality as Council and Parliament reached provisional political agreement on legislation which is now known as the historic 'European Climate Law'

The newest big announcement that has lately made headlines was the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).

Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR)

As released by the official EU sources by the end of March 2023, 

Council and Parliament of UE announced the preliminary decision of rules for electric and hydrogen refueling infrastructure for EVs. 

AFIR’s main objectives circulate around the deployment of more recharging and refuelling stations for alternative fuels.

The agreement also foresees that Member States and industry should develop a European-wide coordination system for the exchange of information between publicly accessible recharging points and among stakeholders. This will help to optimise the use of current recharging infrastructure and allow drivers to locate them more easily. The existing public recharging points in locations where they are not yet needed, may be deployed in other places with higher demand. In addition, Member States can give incentives to the industry and private investors to develop and roll out recharging infrastructure.

In terms of the main regulatory pieces as kept from the Commission’s proposal, we read as follows:

“for recharging light electric vehicles, requirements for the total power capacity to be provided based on the size of the registered fleet and the trans-European network-transport (TEN-T) coverage requirements in 2025 and 2030

for recharging electric heavy-duty vehicles and hydrogen refuelling, requirements for TEN-T coverage by 2030, starting in 2025 for electric heavy-duty vehicles

for the supply of electricity to ships at the quayside in ports, requirements applicable from 2030”

as stated in the press release by European Council

During the talks and debates over the AFIR’s proposal, a few amends were however introduced, the European Council, again, lists them in the official press release. Below, the quote:

“given the specific dynamics of the electric heavy-duty vehicles and the fact that the market is less developed than for light vehicles, a gradual process of infrastructure deployment is set to start in 2025 aiming at covering all TEN-T roads by 2030

to maximise the efficiency of investments in hydrogen refuelling and to adapt to technological developments, the requirements focus on the deployment of gaseous hydrogen refuelling infrastructure with a particular attention to urban nodes and multimodal hubs

to ensure that electric recharging requirements are compatible with the wide range of circumstances on the ground and that investments are proportionate to needs, the total power of electric recharging pools has been adapted and the maximum distance between recharging pools for road sections with very low traffic can be increased

to make electric recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure easy to use, different payment and price-display options are available, while avoiding disproportionate investment, particularly in existing infrastructure

regarding on-shore power supply in maritime ports, provisions are now fully consistent with the recently agreed FuelEU maritime proposal

the text specifies the obligations of each stakeholder involved, provides for progress tracking, ensures users are properly informed and supplies the industry with common standards and technical specifications

with a view to significant technological and market developments that will affect heavy-duty vehicles, the text of the provisional agreement includes a clause on a specific review in the short term, whereas the whole regulation will be also reviewed in the medium term”

In order for the preliminary agreement to come into effect, the exact details of the agreed text will still need to be formally approved by both co-legislators. Both sides are expected to sign off on the agreement shortly.

The Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation will help to create a more connected and sustainable transportation system in the EU. By providing incentives for the development of alternative fuel infrastructure, AFIR promotes greater adoption of clean energy vehicles and reduces our dependence on fossil fuels. While there are still challenges ahead, such as ensuring access to necessary funding and establishing standards for public charging infrastructure, the AFIR is a significant step towards achieving a more sustainable transport. The Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation will also open up new opportunities for businesses to develop and deploy innovative solutions in the field of alternative fuel infrastructure. Companies will be encouraged to roll out cutting edge technologies

Speaking about AFIR, we must take notice that it’s a part of a bigger initiative - Fit for 50.

The Fit for 55 package is an ambitious set of measures designed to ensure that the European Union meets its climate objectives and agreed between both lawmakers and industry. It provides a framework that allows for a transition towards greener policies in an equitable manner, safeguarding European competitiveness against third country operators while still leading on global action. This initiative establishes clear parameters for which businesses must operate if we are serious about achieving the long-term targets by midcentury.

The whole Fit for 55 package consists of many subsections, each regulating a different sphere of green activity.

The EU ETS is a major tool that helps the European Union reduce its emissions. Through this innovative market-based system, energy intensive industries and power generation sectors have seen significant improvements in carbon reduction—over 40% since 2005

The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism seeks to protect the hard-won progress against climate change within its borders from being undercut by imports of high-carbon goods or offshoring production. By ensuring compliance with international trade regulations, CBAM bolsters Europe in incentivizing greater ambition worldwide on reducing emissions and tackling global warming.

Member states’ emissions reduction targets

The effort sharing regulation from 2018 sets yearly emission limits for member states regarding industries not regulated by other existing systems — such as emissions trading and land use management

Emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry

This plan increases their land use and forestry regulation, aiming for a minimum of 310 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent net removals by 2030 on an EU-wide basis. Each member state has been given individualized targets as well in this effort to reduce emissions from activities such as deforestation and agricultural production practices.

The proposal sets forward ambitious emissions standards for cars and vans across the EU, aiming to reduce these emissions by 100% by 2035.

Reducing methane emissions in the energy sector

This groundbreaking move is part of their Methane Strategy announced in 2020 and was followed closely by its Global Methane Pledge at COP26 last year where over 100 countries agreed to cut down methane levels by 30%. The proposal seeks to make tracking this progress easy as well as encourage greater reduction efforts

The FuelEU Maritime proposal is pressing for a reduction in the greenhouse gas intensity of energy used on ships by up to 75% over the next three decades. While some progress has been made, maritime transport still relies almost solely on fossil fuels and continues to emit notable quantities of toxic pollutants into our atmosphere. In June 2022, Council members agreed with its general approach before successfully reaching an agreement between both parliaments this March (2023)

A round-up of the latest eMobility news. Catch up on what's happening in the industry!

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Małgorzata Komorowska

Tesla superchargers now also for other EVs!

The White House is teaming up with Tesla to create a greener future. 7,500 Tesla’s charging stations will be available to all electric vehicles (EVs) by 2024 across the country. With this new commitment to add 3,500 of both superchargers and level 2 destination chargers across the country, it promises to make EV travel much easier for Tesla-users and non-Tesla-users alike. It's encouraging that Tesla is also planning to double its network of superchargers. Over 3 million electric vehicles (EVs) and 60,000 charging stations are now in use in the US. President Joe Biden said that cooperation with Tesla it a „

In 2025, drivers will be able to hit the open road with style in their MINI Cooper SE Convertible. As a result of the positive response to the one-of-a-kind specimen unveiled in the summer of 2022, MINI is now moving forward with a small run of the all-electric MINI Cooper SE Convertible. Here are some technical details: power consumption combined: 17.2 kWh/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km. It’s the world's first locally emission-free luxury convertible in the small vehicle sector. Cars will be available in Europe in a limited number of 999 vehicles. 

New state joining the ban of new ICE cars sales

New York, California, and the European Union are ending new gas vehicle sales by 2035. Now, New Jersey joins this list. Philip Murphy (Governor of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection) said: „

These are the next big steps forward. By the year 2035, the new cars sold in New Jersey will all, and I emphasize all, be zero-emission vehicles

.” Also, the state will invest $70 million in additional grant money to promote the use of medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles. 

Cadillac's EV debut is off to an iconic start, selling out its first all-electric car in a mere 19 minutes (in May 2022). Cadillac will introduce three new EVs by 2024, not including the $300,000 hand-built, premium luxury Celestiq scheduled to go on sale in December. All models of a vehicle will have an extra-paid upgrade from an estimated 340 horsepower on the rear-wheel drive variant to around 500 horsepower. CEO Rory Harvey stated that they

 „will be leaving this decade as an EV brand.” 

EV charging stations to be funded by The White House

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Biden administration outlined a set of specifications for charging hardware for any business wishing to receive federal funding. The White House announcement rightfully points out about installation, operation, or maintenance of EV charging stations. It also applies to disparities exist among EV charging stations in key areas (connector types, payment methods, data privacy, speed and power of chargers, reliability) and the overall user experience. All 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico's EV chargers that receive federal funding, including those supported by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI), will be subject to the new national requirements. 

A round-up of the latest eMobility news from all over the world. Catch up on what's new in the industry!

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Learn about EV batteries and see their impact the eMobility environment.

Being an eMobility leader in various projects across multiple startups, Piotr was responsible for OCPI and OCPP integration as well as EMP and CPO platforms development. With extensive expertise in the open standards field and eMobility tech solutions, he is leading teams of experienced developers and contributing with invaluable knowledge and experience.

Piotr Majcher

Electric vehicle (EV) batteries are a major component of the transportation revolution, providing power to electric cars and other vehicles to run efficiently. Their development has evolved over time. They have quickly become an integral part of the automotive industry and their future looks brighter than ever. In this blog post we'll:

discover different types of battery technology,

discuss the environmental benefits that electric vehicles offer,

examine ways manufacturers are recycled by manufacturers.

After reading this post you will be more informed about EV batteries so that you can make educated decisions when it comes to investing in an electric vehicle.

Powering an electric vehicle requires more than meets the eye. 

Underneath its hood lies a carefully designed battery pack that stores energy in the form of electrochemical cells, each composed of two half-cells known as electrodes

. When these opposite ends connect and electrons move from negative to positive side, electricity flows through – effectively giving life to EV motors with clean energy for motion.

Recharging an EV battery is like restarting a race car that's stalled at the starting line. By plugging in your electric vehicle, you initiate engaging electron flow through its cells, as if turning on a switch „

What are the types of batteries used in electric vehicles?

The different battery types vary by ion types, electrode materials and the associated electrolytes:

They are ideal for powering electric cars since they have a very high energy density and maintain their charge for a longer period of time. The battery's weight to storage capacity ratio is referred to as its energy density. A lithium-ion battery provides 10 times the density of a lead-acid battery, in comparison. High voltage is produced by lithium-ion batteries, which are also simple to recharge and incredibly durable. Often lasting longer than the automobile itself.

Nickel metal hybride batteries (since 1980)

You can know nickel metal hybride batteries as those, which can get maximum performance out of minimal space. With the absence of any toxic metals, recyclability is made a breeze. The positive electrode in these batteries features nickel oxide-hydroxide as its active material and the negative side utilizes hydrogen-absorbing. High energy density and non-toxic metals allow those types of batteries to deliver an exceptionally long lifespan suitable for hybrid & plug-in vehicles.

The oldest type of batteries, also known as the cell batteries. Lead-acid batteries are the workhorse of gasoline and electric vehicles, helping to crank over engines while also providing power for modern EVs like infotainment systems or driver assist technology.

Why has the EV world switched into lithium-ion batteries?

Lithium-ion technology has become ubiquitous across a range of products due to its impressive storage capacity - from smartphones and laptops, through to emissions-free electric cars. This remarkable charging power is just one reason why lithium-ion batteries have experienced such widespread success. There's a reason lithium is the element of choice for batteries - it offers exceptional storage potential with its high voltage capabilities and efficient density, allowing us to pack even more energy into each battery. Lithium-ion batteries offer a density of around 300 to 500 Wh/kg, 10x more than a lead-acid battery.

As Olivier Le Moal said in the article for Renault Group 

„lithium-ion technology today represents the best compromise between capacity, volume and mass in the electric mobility sector”

How are EV batteries recycled by manufacturers?

Recycling batteries is no simple task. The complexity of the process involved means that only a handful of companies worldwide are capable enough to do so. Companies like Redwood Materials, Li-Cycle, and Cirba Solutions have developed innovative methods to recapture 95% of the raw materials, such as cobalt, nickel and lithium after rendering them inert first in order to prevent any hazardous incidents or fires. These recovered elements are then refined before being sold back into the market for use again in new battery production cycles.

Ford has made a commitment to battery recycling with the Redwood Materials. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz is taking sustainability efforts one step further by building its own dedicated plant in Germany. In keeping with this trend Tesla stands out at the forefront by claiming it can recover almost all materials used to make batteries for reuse and repurposing, an impressive 92%!

Rising prices of lithium and its impact to the production of lithium-ion batteries

Affordable electric vehicles depend on access to an essential resource: lithium. This material is produced from two main sources: extraction from brine and rock mining. Leader countries in lithium production are Chile, Argentina and Australia. By 2040, the demand for lithium is expected to have increased more than 40 times, mostly due to the transition to electric cars. The world is not short of lithium, data from 2018 from Mineral Commodity Summaries U.S. shows that reserves are equivalent to 370 years of current production.


The debate is around its cost. Lithium has been rightly referred to as 

 due to its increasing importance within these rapidly growing industries over recent years. Data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI) shows that between January 2021 and January 2022, the cost of the lithium-rich raw material spodumene increased by 478.3%. But this year, due to business analyst, prices won’t be drastically rising. But Rystad Energy, meanwhile, told the Financial Times that 

„within the automotive industry, there is some consensus that the rapid growth observed in 2021 and 2022 may not be seen this year”

Electric vehicle batteries are a vital component of the transportation revolution, providing power for electric cars and other vehicles with much lower carbon emissions than gasoline or diesel-powered counterparts. As manufacturers continue to experiment with new technologies and ways to maximize battery performance, it's reasonable to assume that even more strides will be made in sustainability. All in all, with the current trends and advances in technology, EV batteries may prove to be just what we need to reduce our energy consumption and help steer us towards a greener future.

We hope this article helped point you in the right direction! If you'd like to further your knowledge on EVs, check the article about 

All about the EV batteries

See how AI can impact the world of electric vehicles!

Recently, even limited access to the Internet seems what might be enough to get bombarded with the latest breakthroughs and leaps forward in terms of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its progression into formerly AI-pristine spheres. While vigorous debates about its potentially hazardous nature ensue all over social media, AI creators and enthusiasts launch more of said tools into the digital world, leaving them there to stay.

As much as it only recently became such a big topic (especially one that made it outside of the purely-tech environment), Artificial Intelligence has been powering a good chunk of the technology known for years. From autonomous vehicles to facial recognition software to voice assistants like Alexa or Siri, AI has morphed from a niche concept into something we get used to using on a daily basis. Even when browsing the web, AI is used to customize the experience and provide everyone with tailored ads. So, while there are plenty of legitimate worries about its potential misuse in the future, it is undeniable that AI has become an everlasting part of our lives.

At this point many people can't help but wonder just how far AI has evolved since its conception, and where it can go from here. As of now, many AI tools are still being developed to help businesses automate mundane tasks or help them achieve new heights in customer service. While this is an incredible use for AI, one could imagine that the possibilities are more far-reaching than what we know today.

What really is Artificial Intelligence? And how does AI work?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science that focuses on creating intelligent machines that are capable of completing tasks in the same way as humans (or rather as close to it as it gets). AI technology has been around since the 1950s, and it has grown significantly over time. Today, AI is used in many different industries, from finance to healthcare and, since it’s constantly evolving, researchers find new ways to apply the technology in different fields.

Artificial Intelligence's impact on the world is wide-reaching, from powerful web search engines like Google to user recommendations powered by tech giants such as YouTube and Amazon. AI has even made strides in understanding complex human speech patterns found in devices like Siri and Alexa. Creative applications of this technology can be seen with projects including ChatGPT and AI art.

AI itself can be broken down into two main categories: narrow AI and general AI. Narrow AI focuses on specific tasks related to a certain industry or problem, such as driving a car or playing chess. General AI is focused on more complex tasks, such as understanding natural language and problem-solving.

As AI develops and evolves, its definition is shifting to keep up with the times. What was once considered "intelligent" can no longer be included in this category; for instance, optical character recognition has become an ordinary part of life that falls outside of what we think about when talking about Artificial Intelligence. This shift is known as the AI effect – a concept which highlights how quickly technology advances

In fact, the scale of the entire undertaking reached a level where there are subdomains to Artificial Intelligence, closely related to it, but  often classified separately. Machine learning is one of them.

Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science which focuses on the use of data and algorithms to imitate the way that humans learn, gradually improving its accuracy.  The goal of machine learning is to create algorithms that can receive a set of data and use it to learn from the data and make predictions about other data.

The most common method used in machine learning is supervised learning, which requires labeled datasets for training. Labeled datasets are datasets with known input/output relationships, such as images with their corresponding labels. The machine learning algorithm will use these labeled datasets to learn the relationship between input and output data, allowing it to predict outputs for new datasets.

Other methods of machine learning include unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning and semi-supervised learning. Unsupervised learning allows the computer to detect patterns in a dataset without being given labeled data to learn from. Reinforcement learning is based on rewards and punishments, where the algorithm learns by trial and error, gradually improving its accuracy as it receives feedback from its environment. Semi-supervised learning is a combination of supervised and unsupervised learning, which uses both labeled and unlabeled datasets for training.

Artificial intelligence in eMobility - the possibilities

Looking at the technical advancements happening within the field of electric vehicles, there are already quite a few impressive solutions implemented. From smart charging to connected cars, it’s pretty clear that advanced software has become an integral part of the industry.

However, there are still means of taking it all to a new level. There’s a few areas where Artificial Intelligence could find itself a useful spot and potentially aid towards mass adoption. We’ll try to list some of them.

Battery Management System (BMS) is a system that monitors and manages a rechargeable battery (or group of batteries), such as those found in electric vehicles, UPS systems, and solar energy storage systems. In short, its primary functions can be narrowed down to ensuring the battery remains safe and reliable.

With the use of AI, it potentially would be possible to modernize the way EV battery management systems operate, allowing for more reliable and longer-lasting batteries. By proactively evaluating key factors such as temperature, charge level and driving style - these sophisticated intelligent solutions can predict potential failure scenarios and take measures to extend life expectancy. In such a scenario, both sides could enjoy benefits: EV manufacturers would improve their competitiveness levels on the global transportation market, by significantly enhancing key factors like range, whereas the drivers would be left with more reliable (and thus more enjoyable) vehicles.

Advanced Route Planning & Charging Infrastructure Optimization

Being one of the top things that hold people back from transitioning to electric cars, range anxiety still delays mass EV adoption. With charging infrastructure being often disproportionately distributed and significantly lacking in some areas, the lengthy trips may get at times difficult to plan and execute.

AI-powered route optimization algorithms can help EVs plan out their trips in an optimal manner. By considering factors such as traffic conditions, road grades, charging time and electric vehicle charging stations, AI-powered solutions can help ensure that motorists reach their destinations in the most efficient manner possible, which is by ​​minimizing battery usage and increasing driving range.

Similarly, AI could be used to fill in the infrastructural gaps by analyzing usage patterns of EVs and driving habits. With advanced analytics and predictive models these intelligent solutions are able to determine ideal locations for charging stations while predicting future demand at the same time.

While the Open Smart Charging Protocol is “already on it”, giving Charge Point Operators ways to maneuver around the intricacies of energy consumption and leveraging it to the best of its capacity, there are ways to further improve it.

With the use of AI algorithms, it may be possible to help optimize the energy consumption of electric vehicles. By monitoring factors like driving conditions, speed, and load levels, AI systems can predict the most efficient way to use the available energy and ensure that EV are being charged at the most efficient times and from the most cost-effective energy sources.


Naturally, there are more ways in which AI can support the eMobility industry. Some other possibilities include:

 By anticipating component failures and proactively scheduling repairs, downtime can be drastically reduced, leading to greater overall reliability of vehicles

 AI can be used to predict the future prices of electricity, allowing EV owners to charge their vehicles at the most cost-effective times.

Finally, it must be noted that nearly the entirety of the case of autonomous vehicles is rooted deeply in artificial intelligence, but that’s for a whole another topic of conversation.

Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) - what's in it for eMobilty?

06 APRIL 2023 • 6 MIN READ