How AFIR Reshapes The EV Charging Business in Europe

The landscape of electric vehicle (EV) charging is rapidly evolving, often driven by regulatory frameworks. This blog post will examine critical regulatory developments across European markets to illustrate how regulations affect the EV charging industry and how a regulations-compliant charge point management platform can successfully respond to the complex regulatory environment and be a strategic partner for CPOs and eMSPs. 

Overview of AFIR requirements

Effective from April 13, 2024, the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) mandates that all newly established public charging stations comply with requirements related to pricing, payment, billing, interoperability, and third-party data sharing:

• Transparent and non-discriminatory pricing.
  For charge points <50kW, pricing must be displayed per kWh, session, and minute.
  For charge points >50kW, pricing must be displayed per kWh along with occupancy fee priced per minute;
• Ad-hoc payment via payment terminals.
  Charging stations with less than 50 kW capacity must offer QR-code-based payments. All public charging points must support payment via terminals, including contactless payments, without authorization.
• Smart charging functionality
  All charge points within a network must be digitally connected.
• Data provisioning
  Charging stations are required to provide static and dynamic data on availability, location, and pricing. This information must be accessible through National Access Points without any charges.

AFIR sets standards for interoperability and data-sharing protocols to ensure seamless access to recharging infrastructure and transparent consumer pricing information. AMPECO’s platform allows for managing multiple chargers using a single payment terminal, simplifying operations and reducing costs by centralizing pricing management and supporting various tariff structures. The payment terminals, integrated with the platform, provide access to comprehensive charging session data, enabling effective troubleshooting and driver support. Our platform supports smart charging and dynamic load management to secure energy consumption spikes related to the grid’s stability on the one hand and allows flexibility for the EV driver in terms of electricity costs on the other. Our CPMS also provides real-time data on the charge points to ensure effective incident management.

AFIR effect on national legislation

The regulation sets clear rules for EV charging for all member states and may overrule national legislation upon state decision. When a new EU regulation is adopted on a topic covered by an existing directive, it generally takes precedence over the national laws implementing the directive, becoming part of the national legal framework immediately upon its entry into force, and member states are obligated to apply it without the need for further national legislation. In cases where a member state’s national law aligns with or exceeds the requirements of the new EU regulation, it is likely to comply. However, suppose the national law goes beyond the directive’s requirements but conflicts with the provisions of the new EU regulation. In that case, the member state may need to review and amend its legislation to ensure compliance. Alternatively, the member state might choose to selectively apply certain provisions of its national law that surpass the directive’s requirements, maintaining higher standards in those areas. However, if the national law contradicts the EU regulation, it may be deemed incompatible and subject to legal challenges. 

Furthermore, the EU Commission will provide Q&A guidelines with concrete interpretations of key aspects from AFIR. Annex II technical specifications will be applicable, with the Commission having the authority to request European standardization organizations to draft standards where necessary. Delegated acts by the Commission can amend Annex II to ensure the full technical interoperability of recharging and refueling infrastructure, particularly regarding physical connections, communication exchanges, and accessibility for persons with reduced mobility.

EV charging regulatory showcases 

Germany: Stricter metering and calibration

Germany has imposed specific regulations on EV charging since 2014 with the introduction of the Metering and Calibration Regulation (Eichrecht). There are strict rules for the calibration of the meter inside the EVSE. Pricing must show all pricing elements such as idle fees, parking fees, starting fees, and invoices must include specific categories like duration of the charge session, including the start and end time, the unique transaction identifier, EVSE-ID, chosen tariff model, etc. While Eichrecht and Germany’s Charging Station Ordinance (Ladesäulenverordnung – LSV) require compliance with stricter rules than AFIR, it is still unclear whether Germany will abolish LSV. Meanwhile, our regulatory team at AMPECO constantly monitors all national requirements to ensure our platform remains compliant after April 13, 2024.

Portugal: Extensive legislation and network integration

In parallel, Portugal, with more than 18 pieces of legislation for EV charging effective since 2009, benchmarks implementation of standards and requirements. In 2015, Portugal unified its charging network into Mobi.E, which became operational in 2020. The network, comprising over 3,900 charging stations nationwide, including more than 1,400 fast or ultra-fast charging points, mandates that all AC/DC public charging stations be connected to it. This integration allows EV drivers with contracts from any e-mobility supplier to access and charge their vehicles at any Mobi.E charging point, regardless of the charging point operator or owner, covering both public access and private access points connected to the network. Portugal’s regulations are less stringent yet extensive, which means that AFIR is a valuable addition to developing the country’s EV charging infrastructure. 

France: Mandatory charge point management

Meanwhile, France has made the integration of a charge point management system mandatory, which, according to the law, serves as a universal intermediation service to facilitate data exchanges, support roaming, and guarantee equal access and non-discriminatory pricing for EV drivers. AMPECO’s cloud system ensures compliance with the above country-specific requirements to support CPOs in Europe and to navigate them through the complexity of EV charging jurisdictions.

Norway: Right to charge and infrastructure development

While Norway is closely linked with the EU through its membership in the European Economic Area (EEA) and AFIR applies to its EV charging sector. Since its introduction in 2021, the right to charge has boosted the development of EV charging infrastructure in the country. Norwegian housing community residents gained the right to install EV charging facilities in their parking spaces, previously denied due to concerns like electrical capacity. All residents, whether with dedicated or shared parking, now have equal rights, with costs covered individually and infrastructure expenses shared among the community.

How AMPECO’s platform complies with AFIR 

AMPECO’s platform offers comprehensive solutions to ensure compliance with AFIR. With flexible tariff models, including per kWh or per minute pricing, connection fees, parking penalty fees, and time of use tariffs, AMPECO caters to diverse charging needs. Our wide range of payment methods, from credit/debit card payments to corporate accounts, ensures convenience for consumers and businesses. Our payment terminals streamline operations by managing multiple chargers and enabling complex tariff settings.

Detailed reporting and analytics empower data-driven decisions, providing insights into charging session data and operational metrics. Additionally, our Dynamic Load Management feature helps optimize infrastructure usage and reduce costs. AMPECO’s platform is OCPP 1.6 Full & Security Certified, ensuring reliability and security, while our restful API allows seamless integration with existing business systems. Recognized as an approved partner by Hubject, AMPECO stands ready to support your EV charging needs in compliance with AFIR.