When it comes to charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation or AFIR is one of the most important EU policy files being discussed today. It defines the legislative framework for public charging for the next decade and is instrumental to realising the Green Deal.

The AFIR is indeed vital for realising a dense, accessible and user-friendly charging network across Europe.

The Platform for electromobility is a strong advocate for creating a uniform EV charging market through binding targets set at Member State level. We believe that through a harmonized Regulation, we can avoid the risk of creating a two speed Europe regarding the EV charging rollout.

The Platform supports both ambitious fleet-based targets as well as distance-based targets across the European highways network.

We need to get going now. We call on the European Parliament and the Council to agree on an AFIR fit for the Green Deal. There is no time to lose to reach our climate targets! You can find more details on our recommendations on Commission’s proposal under the video.

If Europe is to succeed in its transition towards zero-emission mobility, the correct charging infrastructure needs to be put in place

Here, the deployment of private charging is of the utmost importance: 90% of all charging takes place at home or in the workplace. About 10% of charging will be done at public charging stations, either at fast charging stations on the highway for long distance trips or at slower charging stations for drivers who cannot charge at home. We at the Platform for electromobility want to make sure as many people as possible can charge at home.

The European Commission has recently proposed requirements to ease the installation of charging stations in building like condominiums or offices, as well as mandatory installation of charging stations at new and renovated buildings. These are very positive steps forward.

But we also need to make sure charging stations are easily installed in existing buildings as well because 4 out of 5 buildings will still be in use by 2050, and a large proportion will not be renovated any time soon it’s clear that we need to include existing buildings in the legislation now.

Also, the legislation should require the deployment “smart” technologies for vehicles. These can postpone charging or return electricity to the grid or the building. This presents opportunities for EV drivers: reduced energy prices, improved charging experience and increased renewable energy use. It is key that all newly installed chargers in buildings are capable of smart charging.

Finally, the right to plug should truly facilitate the installation of a charging station. This right does not really exist if construction costs are too high. This is why we also need to reinforce the measures to ensure pre-cabling: installing the cables needed to connect a charging station later on.

We need to electrify our transport sector to cut our reliance on fossil fuels. This is needed to achieve our climate goals and energy security. And the more electric vehicles we have on our roads, the more wind turbines we will need to power them.

It’s possible to use electric vehicles without adding pressure on the electricity grid. Smart and bidirectional charging allow us to do that. And it can also help us integrate additional renewable energy capacity.

Everyone wants to pay less for charging their electric vehicles and that is achievable by installing more renewable power capacity. Legislation must help as much as possible. But how to make it happen?

European countries should ensure that permitting of renewable energy sources is done much simpler and faster. And they should allow electric vehicles to realise their full potential by allowing them to provide grid services.

Finally, the joint development of electric vehicles and renewable energy power plants represents great job opportunities for many Europeans. We must ensure that they have the right skills they need to accompany the transition. Find more details on our recommendations on the platform’s website.

Corporate fleets are both a challenger and a great enabler for the decarbonation of transport. Europe should act and here is why:

Company cars are often underestimated because they represent 20% of the car park but, they are usually driven twice more than individual cars, they emit 50% of total road transport CO2 emissions and represent 62% of new car registrations!  This is therefore a key lever to decarbonize transport. Company cars quickly become private cars via the second-hand market. This is called the “Trickle-down effect”

At the Platform for electromobility, we therefore believe we should first act to decarbonize corporate fleets by mandating their decarbonization. There would be a clear benefit: ensuring a large second-hand market after they are no longer used by companies and therefore making clean transportation more accessible to all. It is urgent to act at EU level to take the cost of the transition off people’s shoulder.

The is at the moment only one legislation at EU level to push large fleet to drive cleaner: the clean vehicle directive. Since 2021, it pushes member states’ public service to change their fleet to new, non-polluting vehicles. On paper it is a great idea but it only cover 1% of all fleets. We need to decarbonize the 99% left