From Directive to Regulation- Alternative Fuels Infrastructure in the EU

In 2019, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assumed office with a new climate roadmap: the European Green Deal. The European Green Deal extends to many different sectors, including clean energy, transport, food, industry and the circular economy. The Green Deal's main goal is to transform the European economy and become climate neutral by 2050. Additionally, achieving a key legal target to cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. Both targets are legally binding under the European Climate Law Regulation (EU) 2021/1119. To realise the European Climate Law objectives, the ‘Fit for 55’ package was implemented. Key initiatives under the package include the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) for road transport, the reform of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), higher renewable energy targets, the Gas and Hydrogen Market Package (comprising a regulation and a directive), and the revised Energy Efficiency Directive.

As part of the Green Deal, the Commission published the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy in 2020 and announced the revision of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (2014). The main challanges which have been found in the Directive include uneven development of recharging infrastructure across the European Union, a lack of interoperability between charging systems, and the failure of infrastructure development to keep pace with the growing uptake of zero-emission vehicles. In addition, although the Directive required Member States to develop National Policy Frameworks (NPFs) for alternative fuels infrastructure, it did not establish mandatory minimum deployment targets. Instead, it relied primarily on indicative national objectives, resulting in significant differences in ambition and implementation across Member States. Furthermore, Member States had decided whether to include hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in their NPFs.

Consequently, the Directive was replaced by a new Regulation AFIR (2023/1804), which introduced binding minimum targets for the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure. The Regulation also strengthened interoperability requirements, improved data availability and transparency, and ensured that users have access to simple and convenient payment options. Most importantly, it aims to support the uptake of zero-emission vehicles and accelerate the decarbonisation of the transport sector.

 AFIR main changes:

The Regulation adopts a Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) approach by introducing mandatory infrastructure deployment targets across the core and comprehensive TEN-T networks.

Electric Light-Duty vehicles (LDV):

- Every 60 km on TEN-T in each direction of travel;

- By 31 December 2027 - recharging pool with power output of at least 600 kW, plus at least 2 recharging points with an individual power output of at least 150 kW;

Electric Heavy-Duty vehicles (HDV):

- By December 2027, at least 50 % of the length of the TEN-T network dedicated to HDVs should be deployed in each direction of travel;

- By 31 December 2030, dedicated network for trucks and buses, every 60 km on the TEN-T core network, recharging pool with power output of at least 3600 kW, plus at least 2 recharging points with an individual power output of at least 350 kW;

Hydrogen Refuelling Infrastructure:

- By 31 December 2030 - Every 200 km on TEN-T core network+ one accessible refuelling station in each urban node;

2. User-friendly rules: ad-hoc payment, price transparency, no subscription barriers

3. Real-time data on availability, prices, capacity

Government and Monitoring

- National Policy framework (Art.14)- each Member state sets out how it will meet the targets and develop the market

- National Reporting (Art.15)- Progress reports every 2 years (from 2027). Assessment of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies and electricity system flexibility every three years

-The European Commission monitors the implementation of the Regulation and evaluates Member States' progress

AFIR represents a shift from the previous Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive by replacing non-binding national objectives with legally binding infrastructure deployment targets. Through harmonised requirements for charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, improved interoperability, and enhanced user convenience, the Regulation aims to accelerate the uptake of zero-emission vehicles and support the decarbonisation of the EU transport sector.