The rollout of Europe’s EV charging network has accelerated at record speed – the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) has been a big part of that success. But as the EU prepares its 2026 review, the question is no longer whether the regulation works-it’s how to make it work even better.
In this week’s #FridayFeature, we break down Eurelectric’s latest position on the AFIR review and what it means for the future of e-mobility in Europe.
A framework that delivers
Since its introduction, AFIR has provided the long-term certainty needed to scale public charging infrastructure across the EU. The results speak for themselves: by the end of 2025, more than 1.04 million charge points were deployed – a more than 700% increase since 2020.
This rapid growth has helped address range anxiety, support EV uptake and create a more connected European charging network. But as the market matures, the focus is shifting from rollout to implementation.
Refinement, not replacement
With the review mandated by the end of 2026, Eurelectric’s message is clear: don’t overhaul what already works.
Instead, the priority should be targeted, practical refinements. Maintaining the current target framework for both light- and heavy-duty vehicles will be key to ensuring predictable deployment, particularly along TEN-T corridors while avoiding unnecessary costs in areas with lower demand.
Another key area is technical clarity. Definitions around smart charging, bidirectional charging and “publicly accessible infrastructure” still require alignment to avoid misinterpretation and ensure effective implementation.
Standards for charging communication – such as ISO 15118-20 – are enabling features like plug & charge and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) that will be central to the next phase of the market. Timelines for implementation must reflect real-world readiness across both infrastructure and vehicles to avoid undue burdens on those implementing these advanced functionalities
From infrastructure rollout to system integration
As the charging network grows, interoperability and system integration are becoming crucial to ensuring a smooth user experience.
AFIR already sets requirements for data exchange and transparency, but fragmentation remains a challenge. Eurelectric recommends:
- Wider adoption of common protocols such as Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) to enable seamless roaming
- Simplification of National Access Point (NAP) requirements
- Greater alignment between charging infrastructure and energy system needs, including flexibility and congestion management
This is where EVs start to become more than just a transport solution; they become an asset for the electricity system.
Keeping the consumer at the centre
As infrastructure expands, user experience will play a decisive role in EV adoption.
Eurelectric calls for preserving flexible, ad hoc payment options while safeguarding price transparency, while avoiding overwhelming users with unnecessary and potentially confusing details. Dynamic pricing will also remain essential to support innovation, helping to incentivise off-peak charging, support grid stability and integrate more renewable energy into the system.
AFIR has always aimed to make charging as easy as refuelling, and that must remain a priority.
What comes next
AFIR has laid the foundations for Europe’s EV charging ecosystem and the results are already visible at scale.
Now, the challenge is to combine expansion with smart, system-wide optimisation. With targeted refinements – not a regulatory reset – Europe can ensure that its charging network remains scalable, interoperable, consumer-friendly and investment-ready.
What comes next will be critical. Eurelectric is advising a renewed and reinforced AFIF funding framework, particularly to support heavy-duty vehicle infrastructure and early-stage projects in low-utilisation regions.
At the same time, stronger coordination between AFIR provisions and national grid planning will be essential including the timely publication of National Policy Frameworks and earlier engagement with distribution system operators (DSOs) to anticipate connection needs.
As the Commission prepares its formal review, Eurelectric will continue to advocate for a stable, coherent and investment-friendly framework – one that consolidates AFIR’s success while enabling the charging ecosystem to grow sustainably in the years ahead.
Because in the end, the success of electrified transport won’t just depend on how many chargers we build – but on how well the whole system works together.
This week’s edition’s written by:
Erin Kalejs – Strategic Communications, Eurelectric
With technical input from:
Henry Grady – Energy Policy, Climate & Sustainability, Eurelectric
This blog post was originally published as part of Eurelectric’s LinkedIn Friday Features. Subscribe here to stay updated and never miss an edition.
Disclaimer: This article is for communication purposes only and may not reflect Eurelectric positions. Any positions taken in this article shall not be attributable to Eurelectric’s official positioning. Official Eurelectric positions are reflected only in position papers published here.