How to ensure Europe’s EV charging infrastructure buildout succeeds

Among the various initiatives in the EU’s recently proposed “Fit for 55” package, which seeks to align EU regulations with its ambitious climate goals, the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) stands out as a key component. This proposed regulation places electric mobility at the heart of efforts to promote alternative fuels. According to the AFIR, each EU country will be required to ensure a specific level of charging infrastructure proportional to the number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered within their borders. While this initiative represents a step in the right direction, we believe that a one-size-fits-all approach falls short of addressing the complexities of electric mobility across Europe.

In this article, we’ll explore why we think this approach could hinder progress in some regions while failing to incentivize innovation in others. We’ll also suggest an alternative framework that could better balance the needs of all EU member states.

Electric Mobility as a Catalyst for Change

Last summer, the European Commission introduced its comprehensive plan to reduce carbon emissions by 55% by 2030. Known as the Fit for 55 package, this legislative proposal marks a crucial step towards achieving the EU’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Among the many sectors addressed, transportation has been identified as a critical area for decarbonization, with the electrification of vehicles seen as a key tool. The EU sees investments in EV charging infrastructure as pivotal to transforming both the energy and transport sectors.

As stated in an EU report, “The deployment of charging infrastructure in line with electric vehicle uptake is essential for transitioning to alternative fuels and achieving a largely zero-emission vehicle fleet by 2050.” Beyond reducing emissions, electric mobility is expected to create green jobs, improve digital infrastructure, and enhance air quality in urban areas.

Therefore, promoting EV adoption and infrastructure is not just good policy—it’s laying the foundation for further decarbonization. However, for electric mobility to truly become a catalyst for change, it must appeal to drivers across the continent. Unfortunately, in some countries, the pace of EV adoption remains far too slow to meet climate goals.

Charging Infrastructure and EV Adoption Go Hand in Hand

The EU’s overarching goal is to make EV charging as seamless as refueling a traditional vehicle, enabling electric vehicles to travel freely across the bloc. Yet, the uneven distribution of charging infrastructure today complicates long-distance travel. The EU acknowledges this as a classic “chicken-or-egg” dilemma: widespread EV adoption depends on accessible charging infrastructure, but investors hesitate to build charging stations without confidence in future demand.

As the EU notes, “To reach this goal, the EU faces the challenge of ensuring that charging infrastructure development keeps pace with vehicle adoption.” In essence, boosting EV adoption requires investing in charging infrastructure first.

Why the Proposed Targets Under AFIR Fall Short

The AFIR is designed to address this challenge by establishing a framework for developing a Europe-wide charging network. It includes a minimum charger-to-vehicle ratio that member states must adhere to. However, as it stands, the current proposal—1 kilowatt of charging power per EV—is insufficient to achieve the EU’s goal of making EV charging as convenient as traditional fueling.

There are two main issues with this approach:

1. Countries with fewer EVs will have little incentive to invest significantly in infrastructure, as their targets will remain low due to the small size of their existing EV fleet. This means these nations may not see substantial improvements in charging availability anytime soon.
2. For countries leading the EV revolution, these targets have already been achieved, so there’s no immediate push to upgrade or expand their infrastructure further. Consequently, no meaningful changes will occur in these regions for several years.

As a result, the EU risks missing a significant opportunity to boost charging infrastructure uniformly across the continent.

Insufficient Targets Could Harm Drivers Today

This shortfall not only jeopardizes the EU’s long-term sustainability goals but also negatively impacts drivers today. Many EU countries continue to struggle with the chicken-and-egg issue, discouraging potential EV buyers who worry about limited charging options. Range anxiety—the fear of running out of battery power mid-journey—is the primary barrier to EV adoption in Europe, according to our research.

To alleviate range anxiety and encourage EV adoption, we need to do more than impose uniform targets. Instead, we should implement tailored, capacity-based targets for countries with slower EV uptake while allowing market forces to drive development in regions where the industry is already thriving.

 

Tailored Capacity-Based Targets Across Europe

To accelerate EV adoption in underserved markets, we propose increasing the targets for countries with smaller EV fleets. By doing so, these nations can address range anxiety and prepare for rapid EV market growth. As stated by Charge Up Europe, “Member States with small fleets should be obligated to provide charging infrastructure that exceeds current needs, addressing range anxiety and preparing for the surge in EV adoption following the phase-out of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.”

These targets should decrease gradually as EV penetration increases, with the tipping point set at 7.5% of the total vehicle fleet. At this stage, the targets should be reduced since they will no longer be necessary to drive market growth. Setting static targets won’t suffice to reach this tipping point or foster a competitive market environment.

Additionally, these targets should encourage countries to develop detailed infrastructure plans to attract private investment. This will help establish robust industries capable of meeting future EV driver needs. Higher targets for underserved markets combined with supportive policies to engage private charge point operators (CPOs) will ultimately lead to organic infrastructure expansion in a competitive market setting.

In Conclusion

The Fit for 55 package, particularly the AFIR, provides a strong foundation for mainstreaming electric mobility across the EU. From Spain to Sweden and everywhere in between, this initiative has the potential to transform transportation.

However, to accelerate the transition to electric mobility in all EU countries and achieve a 55% emissions reduction by 2030, the EU must move away from a one-size-fits-all approach. Developing tailored, capacity-based targets within AFIR will ensure that infrastructure development meets regional needs while allowing market freedom in thriving regions.

By adopting such an approach, the EU can overcome barriers to EV adoption, stimulate infrastructure development, and attract private investment. This will not only benefit the environment but also create a more equitable and efficient transition to sustainable mobility.

Listen to our REVOLUTION Live Podcast

After reading this article, you might be interested in listening to our REVOLUTION podcast episode focused on the Fit for 55 legislation and how businesses are adapting to Europe’s new clean mobility landscape.

You can listen to the podcast below directly. Feel free to join us live every last Wednesday of the month or check out more REVOLUTION Live episodes.