Charging infrastructure: AFIR ensures growth
The public network of charging stations for electricity and hydrogen must be significantly expanded by 2025. The EU's AFIR regulation had already formulated clear requirements in 2023, which we reported on.
EU Regulation 2023/1804 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR) entered into force on 13 April 2024. It sets binding targets for the expansion of charging infrastructure in member states. Germany has already taken measures to meet the requirements.
Expansion of charging infrastructure is underway
The AFIR stipulates that by the end of 2025, fast charging stations with a minimum power output of 150 kW for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles must be available every 60 kilometres along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). For heavy commercial vehicles, charging points with a minimum power output of 350 kW are planned every 60 kilometres by 2030. In addition, by the end of 2027, all locations along the TEN-T core network are to be equipped with a total charging capacity of at least 600 kW. Germany has already launched initiatives to achieve these goals with the ‘Deutschlandnetz’ (Germany Network). However, the complete expansion is still underway, and further efforts are needed to meet the deadlines.
Uniform payment methods
A key concern of AFIR is the standardisation of payment methods at public charging points. Since 13 April 2024, newly installed charging points with a capacity of over 50 kW must offer at least one of the following payment options: The options include payment card readers, contactless payment via NFC and – for charging points below 50 kW – dynamic QR codes for secure online payments. Existing charging points with a capacity of over 50 kW along the TEN-T network must be retrofitted accordingly by 1 January 2027.
In addition, the AFIR requires operators of public charging points to provide clear and transparent pricing information per kWh and to provide real-time information on availability, waiting times and prices. Furthermore, charging station data must be disclosed to third-party providers. These measures are intended to increase user-friendliness and promote interoperability between different providers.
Over 31,000 publicly accessible CCS charging points
The charging and refuelling infrastructure in Germany has developed significantly since 2023, especially for heavy commercial vehicles. This applies not only to battery-electric vehicles, but also to hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles. By 2024, there were already more than 31,000 publicly accessible CCS charging points in Germany with outputs of up to 400 kW. It should be noted that many electric trucks are mainly charged at the depots of logistics companies, which is particularly practical for local transport.
H2 Mobility with big goals
For hydrogen filling stations, the AFIR stipulates that by 2030, a filling station must be available every 200 kilometres along the TEN-T core network. Germany is also working on implementing this requirement. At the end of 2024, Germany had more than 50 hydrogen filling stations suitable for trucks and buses with 350 bar. By 2026, Europe's largest operator of hydrogen filling stations, H2 Mobility, plans to expand the network by around 100 to 120 additional 350-bar filling points. This is intended to meet the growing demand in the commercial vehicle sector, as trucks generally require a refuelling pressure of 350 bar. Passenger cars, on the other hand, require hydrogen filling stations with 700-bar refuelling points.
However, government funding for hydrogen filling stations has been discontinued due to budget constraints, which is hampering the expansion of the infrastructure. This problem should soon be resolved, however, given the relaxation of the debt brake.
Germany on the right track
Overall, it can be said that Germany has already taken significant steps to meet the requirements of the AFIR Regulation. The charging infrastructure for battery-electric trucks in Germany is growing steadily, with the focus currently on depot charging. The expansion of the charging infrastructure along the TEN-T network and the introduction of uniform payment and price transparency standards are underway.
Nevertheless, there is still a need for action, particularly with regard to the retrofitting of existing charging points and the nationwide expansion of hydrogen filling stations. This topic will also be discussed again at NUFAM as part of the charging infrastructure expert forum. The coming years will be decisive in achieving the set goals on time and ensuring a comprehensive, user-friendly infrastructure for alternative fuels in Germany.