The AFIR directive has come into effect. See what it means for eMobility.

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

Gabriela Stawiarska

Starting on Saturday, April 13th, member states across the European Union began implementing the AFIR regulations, formally known as Regulation 2023/1804 of the European Parliament and of the Council. This regulation focuses on the development of infrastructure for alternative fuels, marking a significant step in the EU's environmental policy initiatives.

AFIR aims to establish a comprehensive network of public charging stations across the European Union, particularly along the TEN-T (Trans-European Transport Network) corridors. To ensure convenience and accessibility, high-power charging stations will be strategically placed at regular intervals, facilitating the use of both personal and commercial electric vehicles throughout the region. However, there’s more to AFIR than just a broad hardware installation, with the new regulation, there comes a plethora of other actions designed to ease the use of charging stations, including the payment policing.

Following the AFIR regulations, operators of public charging stations must provide ad hoc payment options at new charging points. These options should include:

Devices with contactless capabilities that can at least process payment cards

Internet-connected devices that facilitate secure payments, such as QR code systems, for public charging points with a power output of less than 50 kW.

 supports ad-hoc payment through integrations with terminals (via cloud or device integration).

The regulation could be the most significant regulatory driver for the expansion of publicly accessible charging infrastructure in EU member states over the next few years. At Solidstudio we're closely monitoring any changes with regards to the newly-implemented international policies and we do our best to address them swiftly. 

To see more details about what AFIR brings to the table, 

check our article uncovering some more details

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

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.

In the press release published by the Council on the 25th of July, it was confirmed that AFIR has been officially adopted

The new regulation will be published in the EU’s official journal after the summer. While it will enter into force the twentieth day after this publication, the new rules will apply from six months after the date of entry into force of the regulation.

In the Council’s press release we read about main deployment targets for 2025 and 2030. Those include charging network regulations for light and heavy vehicle transport, hydrogen refuelling as well as some energy-based regulations for airports and maritime ports.

Speaking about AFIR, we must take notice that it’s a part of a bigger initiative - Fit for 55.

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)

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

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After founding Solidstudio, Pawel was an originator in terms of pursuing expertise in eMobility. With the build-up of a solid knowledge-base on industry’s needs & wants, he now keeps a close eye on products’ development. He’s also hugely responsible for the business’ side and designs the business models for our products.

Paweł Małkowiak

At Solidstudio, we’ve been on the eMobility journey for almost 5 years now and one thing we can for sure say about it, is that it was extremely knowledge-accumulating.

From business to tech, all industry aspects whether it’s the pricing structure and stakeholders mapping, all the way to technicalities and features of eMobility-based software, we’ve been through an in-depth practice. Having experienced that, we also know how difficult it may get at first to grasp the hold of the industry and its different branches

With that in mind, we decided to gather years worth of publications from our experts and put them altogether in one comprehensive piece covering various aspects of the EV industry.

Our comprehensive new ebook is a must-read for everyone looking to get up close and personal with the electric vehicle industry. From experienced electric mobility professionals wishing to standardize their knowledge, right through to those who are just starting out in the sector - this book has something for all!

The ebook sets aside 7 chapters that are broken up into smaller parts covering more specific details. All kicked off by a comprehensive glossary, it leads its reader through eMobility one aspect at a time.

The chapter covers a few words about where it all started and how it's currently going with EVs around the world. Given, EVs have come a long way since the first model was introduced in 1884, it’s worth noting how today EVs are becoming increasingly popular around the world - from China to Europe and America.

Electric car charging has become one of the hottest topics surrounding EVs, and consequently a major source of confusion for many potential buyers. Although significant gaps in infrastructure exist worldwide, there are still plenty of charge point operators fighting to prove that these green technologies bring great value despite any skeptics attempting to discredit them. In the chapter, we elaborate on matters such as:

Interoperability: open standards and eRoaming hubs

Navigating the world of eMobility can be a complex undertaking. In our third chapter, we investigate how eRoaming and open standards serve as vital connectors between Charging Point Operators, EV Drivers and more - bridging multi-dimensional gaps enabling better access to charging infrastructure for all. We take an in-depth look at what each hub offers along with the key functionalities behind these powerful tools that simplify universal connection across many networks. In the ebook, we touch upon:

Structure of the industry - pricing and stakeholders

There are many different units, regulations or even location-based factors that impact the tariffs, payment methods and billing systems. In the chapter we aim to shed light on the stakeholders that come into play (Charge Point Operator, eMobility Service Provider, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Manufacturer) and the financial liabilities between them.

eMobility vs environment - the ecological aspects

Electric vehicles are driving global environmental transformation. As government incentives propel their mass adoption, this chapter seeks to explore the full extent of all that EVs bring to our planet – from reduced air pollution and energy conservation, through arguably more sustainable infrastructure investments, up until detailing what really makes electric cars greener than traditional ones.

Governmental incentives and initiatives advocating the mass EV adoption

The impact of electric vehicles on the environment is one of the most fundamental and widely discussed topics related to eMobility. It’s also the primary inducement of the broadly-promoted mass adoption and various governmental undertakings in the pursuit of it. Here, we'll share some of the biggest EV-advocating initiatives.


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eMobility Fundamentals - the eBook

See how the business model in which software is acquired can shape business' scalability.

In the rapidly evolving world of eMobility, software solutions have become integral to the seamless functioning of Charge Point Operator platforms and eMobility Service Providers apps. Open Standards and their integration, eRoaming, smart charging, and connected cars are just a few aspects driving the industry forward. While end-users may not realize the extent of the software at play, operators are often faced with the challenge of selecting the right digital products. Despite the availability of various ready-made solutions, many share similar functionalities, making the decision-making process complex. The focus should extend beyond just the software itself, considering a comprehensive range of requirements. 

Existing solutions predominantly follow a strict SaaS purchase model, posing a potential challenge for operators seeking the perfect fit. 

The eMobility market is saturated with off-the-shelf EV charging solutions delivered exclusively through Software as a Service (SaaS). Despite the widespread technological advancements in the industry, operators may overlook that SaaS might not be the most suitable choice for their specific needs. Those who recognize this challenge often find themselves with limited alternative options.

Certainly, there are notable advantages to utilizing SaaS for certain Charge Point Operators and eMobility Service Providers. These benefits encompass the provider handling maintenance and upgrades, relieving users from the burden of keeping their systems current. Additionally, there are relatively low upfront costs for small and new operators.

An alternative to SaaS would be the licensing model where client pays a one-time fee and becomes the owner of the solution. Being irrespective of the amount of charging stations under management, license may be the next best thing for operators who look to scale up or those who already have massive networks. 

More about both SaaS and license can be found in our newest ebook. In it, we share some more on:

How does SaaS impact the potential growth?

What is license and how it works with EV charging software?

Which business model works best for different types of operators?

Learn more about how the business model in which software is acquired can shape business' scalability.

eMobility News - AFIR becomes effective

18 APRIL 2024 • 5 MIN READ

AFIR vs our EV charging software