The AFIR Clock Ticks as Europe Rewires EV Charging

AFIR deadlines push Europe toward ISO 15118 adoption as operators race to upgrade by 2026 and 2027

4 Dec 2025

Europe’s charging network is entering a hurried upgrade. New rules under AFIR make ISO 15118 the backbone of public infrastructure, and a strict timetable now looms. From January 2026 all new public AC chargers must comply with parts 1-5 of the standard. A year later ISO 15118-20 became compulsory for any new or refurbished charger, public or private. The dates are prompting operators to rethink hardware and long-term spending plans.

The shift lands as the industry is already consolidating. Firms are auditing old assets, replacing units more quickly and striking alliances in a market where communication protocols and cyber-security matter as much as sheer power. Analysts see AFIR as a break with the past rather than a minor technical tidy-up.

ISO 15118 promises secure exchanges between car and charger, plus automatic authentication that should smooth charging and reduce support costs. The 2027 move to the newer protocol allows more advanced functions, including future bidirectional energy flow. Those will appear only gradually: both chargers and cars need compatible hardware before power can move in both directions.

Some operators are keen. ABB’s engineers say ISO 15118 is becoming the minimum requirement for doing business in Europe. Fastned argues that unified standards will simplify cross-border operations and improve reliability.

Plenty of hurdles remain. Many older sites cannot be upgraded without costly retrofits. Certification bodies report a surge in applications as firms rush to stay ahead of the deadlines.

Even so, momentum is clear. With electric-car adoption rising and governments pushing cleaner transport, charging stations are becoming vital parts of the energy system. Investors are watching the upgrade wave, expecting AFIR to spur innovation in smart-energy management and grid stability.

As the rules take hold, Europe’s charging landscape is set for rapid renewal. Those that move fastest will shape the next chapter of electric mobility.