The European Commission announced the final approval of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, a law that regulates the minimum number of fast chargers that main European roads must have. This marks the final stage of a legislative process that began in July 2021.

Due to the fact that some countries in Europe have low fast charging infrastructure, this law comes into force to align new objectives for the European continent and further popularize and facilitate the use of electric cars in the second largest EV market in the world.

According to this new regulation, by 2026 it will be necessary to install fast charging stations for light and heavy vehicles every 60 km, along the European Union's main transport corridors (the roads that make up the Trans-European Transport Network).

This law comes into force to accelerate the European Green Pact, seeking to reduce gas emissions. To this end, the European Union will install more charging and alternative fuel stations in the coming years. In addition to the benefit for private users, the purpose is to pave the way for decarbonization in the road transport sector and, thus, facilitate the adoption of electric trucks.

Measures to serve the entire population

Among the various benefits that this law will provide to electric car drivers in Europe are: infrastructure for light vehicles, heavy vehicles and even charging infrastructure for vehicles powered by hydrogen cells.

Regarding the charging structure for light vehicles, from 2025 onwards, it will be necessary to install fast charging stations with at least 150 kW of power every 60 kilometers along the Trans-European Transport Network.

Thinking about heavy vehicles, the idea is that chargers with a minimum power of 350 kW should be installed every 60 kilometers along the main network of the Trans-European Transport Network, and every 100 kilometers on the comprehensive network of the European core of highways from from 2025, with full network coverage by 2030. Additionally, charging stations must be installed in safe parking areas for charging to be carried out at night.

From 2030, a fueling infrastructure for hydrogen-powered vehicles must be implemented, to be able to serve cars and trucks with fueling points on all urban roads, and every 200 kilometers along the continent's main highway network.