The provisions of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure, which repeals Directive 2014/94/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, will become applicable as of April 2024. The AFIR, initially proposed by the European Commission as part of the “Fit For 55” package, is potentially the most significant legislation aimed at fostering the expansion of charging station networks in Member States. Implementing the requirements of the new regulation poses a significant challenge for all stakeholders. To clarify the key provisions, F5A, on behalf of PSPA, has prepared an infographic guide to AFIR.
Unlike Directive 2014/94/EU, AFIR will apply directly in each Member State, including Poland, without the need for implementation. The AFIR imposes very ambitious requirements on each Member State, with the key one being an obligation to increase the total capacity of public charging stations for each newly registered BEV (by 1.3 kW) and each newly registered plug-in hybrid (by 0.8 kW). Given the projected, highly dynamic development of the e-mobility market in Poland, this means that by 2025, the capacity of the charging infrastructure in Poland will need to more than double compared to the end of 2023.
The AFIR also mandates the significant expansion of charging infrastructure along the TEN-T network. Within the TEN-T core network, public charging zones of at least 400 kW for cars and vans must be situated every 60 km in both directions of travel by 2025. By 2027, these zones are required to have a capacity of at least 600 kW. Similar requirements apply to the TEN-T comprehensive network, with deadlines set for 2027, 2030, and 2035.
Additionally, the AFIR will provide a boost to accelerate the expansion of charging infrastructure for electric heavy-duty vehicles (eHDVs). The regulations stipulate, among other things, the requirement to cover at least 15% of the length of the TEN-T core network (in each direction of travel) with charging zones for eHDVs of at least 1.4 MW each by the end of 2025. By the end of 2027 and 2030, the requirements are to be increased accordingly. Similar obligations will extend to the TEN-T comprehensive network, albeit with correspondingly lower requirements for 2027 and 2030.
The AFIR also mandates that for charging points launched six months after the regulation comes into force, operators must provide the option of ad hoc payments through at least card readers, contactless payment devices, or Internet-enabled devices that ensure secure payments, such as QR codes. Additionally, all such points must be digitally connected and offer smart recharging opportunities. This requirement also applies to points undergoing modernization six months after the AFIR takes effect. The regulation also includes an obligation to ensure clear and easy access to price information for charging services, including all price components, at all public charging stations. EV users should have access to price information before commencing recharging sessions and be able to easily compare prices. Importantly, the regulation mandates each Member State to prepare and submit to the European Commission, by 2025, a proposal for a national policy framework for the development of the market for alternative fuels in the transport sector and the corresponding infrastructure development.
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