Europe’s EV Charging Grows Up as Rules Arrive and Watchdogs Stir

Europe’s EV charging market enters a stricter era as AFIR standards take effect and national regulators begin testing how enforcement will work

8 Jan 2026

Europe’s electric vehicle charging market is moving from rapid expansion to closer oversight, as common rules agreed at EU level begin to be enforced by national authorities.

The shift follows the introduction of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, known as AFIR, which came into force in 2024. The regulation replaces earlier guidance with binding obligations for public charging points. Operators must display prices clearly, allow drivers to pay without prior contracts, and show the full cost before charging starts. For the first time, EV charging across the bloc operates under a shared legal framework rather than divergent national practices.

AFIR, however, does not create a single European enforcement body. Responsibility sits with national competition and consumer protection authorities, meaning the pace and style of enforcement will differ across countries. While the rules are uniform, their application is still taking shape.

Italy has provided an early indication of how this may work. Its competition authority has opened an investigation into the EV charging services of A2A, a domestic utility group. The case is not directed by Brussels but reflects how national regulators may apply AFIR’s principles when assessing market conduct. The focus appears to be on setting standards rather than imposing immediate penalties.

The growing scrutiny reflects persistent consumer concerns. Charging infrastructure has expanded quickly to support climate targets and rising electric vehicle sales, but prices can vary widely and payment systems remain inconsistent. These issues are particularly visible for drivers travelling across borders. As electric vehicles reach a broader market, such frictions carry greater weight.

Regulation is also intersecting with industry-led changes. Some operators, including IONITY, have adjusted pricing structures to make costs more predictable, while initiatives such as the Spark Alliance aim to simplify access through cooperation between networks. These steps are voluntary and driven by commercial strategy rather than legal obligation.

Companies with established open-access models and transparent pricing, such as Fastned, are well positioned as oversight becomes more consistent across Europe.

Compliance will bring costs, particularly for smaller operators, and may encourage partnerships or consolidation. Even so, the regulation is less about restricting the market than clarifying expectations. AFIR has set the framework. National authorities are now beginning to apply it.