EU law mandates countries install fast chargers every 37 miles by 2025
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Europe has stood at the forefront of the transition to electric forms of mobility with it being more serious about achieving net-zero targets in combating climate change. But, a lack of access to reliable charging infrastructure has always been a limiting factor standing in the way.
Aiming at mass adoption of EVs in the coming years, the European Union has now mandated through its alternative fuel infrastructure regulation (AFIR) for more recharging and refueling stations across Europe. This will ensure that a fast charging station is available every 37 miles (60 kilometers) along its highways.
"The new law is a milestone of our ‘Fit for 55’ policy providing for more public recharging capacity on the streets in cities and along the motorways across Europe. We are optimistic that in the near future, citizens will be able to charge their electric cars as easily as they do today in traditional petrol stations," said Raquel Sánchez Jiménez, Spanish Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, in a press statement.
AFIR is part of the EU's Fit 55 legislation. The package, which was presented by the European Commission on July 14, 2021, intends to enable the EU to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and reach climate neutrality by 2050.
Making electric-mobility easier across Europe
The new law proposes to install fast charging stations with at least 150kW of electricity at every 37 miles (60 kilometers) along the EU's Trans-European Transport Network, or (TEN-T) system of motorways, the bloc's primary transport corridor, beginning in 2025.
Secondly, from 2025, recharging stations for heavy-duty vehicles with a minimum output of 350kW must be built every 37 miles (60 kilometers) along the TEN-T core network, which are the most important roads linking major cities and nodes in the EU.
The law also proposes fast chargers every 62 miles (100 kilometers) on the larger TEN-T comprehensive network which connects EU regions back to the core network from 2025 onwards, with complete network coverage by 2030.
According to authorities, building such a network is essential given the EU already has 13.4 alternative fuel cars and vans and it is estimated to grow tenfold by 2050. In addition to it, a transition to clean mobility will reduce the 25% share of emissions caused by the transport sector in the EU right now.
A comprehensive plan
The new law also focuses on alternative fuels like hydrogen with its plans for refueling stations serving both cars and lorries in all urban nodes and every 200 km along the TEN-T core network.
Taking into account maritime and air traffic, the package ensures that marine ports that welcome a certain number of big passenger vessels or cargo boats must supply shore-side energy for such vessels by 2030. Furthermore, airports must provide electricity to stationary aircraft at all gates by 2025, and at all remote stands by 2030.
To further ease of use, the plan intends to provide easy payment at recharging or refueling points using payment cards or contactless devices, without the need for a subscription, and in full price transparency.
The process will be made transparent with full information on the availability, waiting time, or price at different stations via electronic means being provided to consumers in advance.
The plan, if successfully implemented, will surely help European nations in their mission to achieve net-zero targets.
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