Towards an ever denser private and public charging network
A denser and more uniform public charging network
AFIR, the framework for a uniform charging network
A central text for public charging, Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, known as AFIR, entered into application on 13 April 2024.
It first establishes a general objective of covering the territory with public charging points. Member states must ensure that a total power output of at least 1.3 kW is provided by publicly accessible charging stations for each registered battery-electric vehicle, and at least 0.80 kW for each registered plug-in hybrid vehicle.
AFIR also requires, between 2025 and 2035, the progressive deployment of charging points along major TEN-T road corridors for light and heavy electric vehicles.
The regulation also sets requirements for public charging points, particularly around payment methods, display of information and price transparency. These requirements are intended to make charging easier and build user confidence. Uniform implementation is essential to support fluid zero-emission passenger and freight transport.
To learn more, visit the GIEVSS publications area.
Local authorities play a key role in densifying charging networks
Local charging infrastructure master plans enable a public authority to organise EV charging infrastructure deployment across its territory in a coordinated and coherent way.
This planning gives the authority a coordinating role in deploying public charging services across its territory, with the objective of creating a charging offer that is:
- Coordinated between public and private project owners;
- Consistent with local policies on mobility, air quality, climate, urban planning and energy;
- Adapted to changing charging needs for local traffic and through traffic.
Designed around practical short-term objectives while carrying a longer-term vision, these planning documents are strategic, structured and locally adaptable. They are supported by regulatory provisions that make the data required for planning easier for authorities to access.
In mature markets, most territories are now covered by validated or ongoing charging infrastructure plans.
To learn more, view our charging network resources.
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Pre-equipping and equipping car parks for electric vehicles
Pre-equipment is becoming a core construction standard
Since the mid-2010s, new buildings have been subject to requirements for pre-equipping and equipping parking spaces with charging points. These requirements have strengthened considerably in recent years, preparing buildings for the arrival of electric vehicles.
Pre-equipping parking spaces means that, once a building is delivered, occupants can have charging stations installed more easily because cable routes, electrical conduits and safe installation locations have been planned from the construction phase. The electrical installation must also be sized to support simultaneous vehicle charging, and energy consumption must be individually metered.
To learn more about pre-equipment and its evolution, review the GIEVSS guidance resources.
Important: pre-equipment does not mean that a car park must already be fitted with charging stations. In residential buildings, for example, pre-equipment may be required even where there is no obligation to equip every parking space with a charging point.
Equipping non-residential building car parks
For non-residential buildings, regulation requires certain new or renovated car parks with more than 10 parking spaces to include at least one charging point, and two for car parks with more than 200 spaces, including at least one accessible space.
In addition, all non-residential building car parks, whether new or existing, are expected to include at least one charging point per group of 20 spaces, representing around 5% of spaces, with at least one accessible charging space.
Similar obligations can apply to paid public car parks operated under public service delegation, direct management or public procurement contracts.
Competent authorities can, through deliberation, distribute charging points across the car parks in their territory to account for user needs, technical constraints or development costs. In that case, compliance with charging-point ratios can be assessed across the relevant car parks as a whole.
Upcoming perspectives: building energy performance rules
Building energy performance rules are important for private charging because they set objectives for pre-equipping and equipping residential and non-residential building car parks.
The latest rules strengthen obligations for pre-equipping and equipping new residential and non-residential buildings. In particular, non-residential car parks may move toward one charging point for every 10 spaces, compared with one for every 20 spaces under current baseline obligations.
Future requirements also support smart charging and bidirectional charging where relevant, while encouraging clearer guidance on fire safety.
Fire safety in public-access buildings and high-rise buildings
Public-access buildings and high-rise buildings are subject to specific rules for installing charging points in covered car parks. These rules are intended to ensure that charging infrastructure deployment remains compatible with safety requirements in shared parking environments.
For more information, consult our technical publications and guidance material.