EU Enacts Law for Fast EV Chargers on Highways by 2025

The Council of the EU has approved new regulations aimed at facilitating electric vehicle (EV) travel across Europe and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The regulation benefits EV owners in three ways: expanding EV charging infrastructure along highways, simplifying payment methods at charging stations, and ensuring transparent pricing and availability.

From 2025, fast charging stations with a minimum power of 150kW will be installed every 60km along the EU’s main highway network (TEN-T). The regulation also mandates that by December 31st, 2025, charging stations on the core road network should offer at least 400kW of total output, including at least one charging point capable of 150kW. By December 31st, 2027, this should increase to at least 600kW of total output with the same individual charging point requirement.

Charging stations on the comprehensive road network will follow a longer timeline for deployment, but by December 31st, 2035, they should offer at least 600kW of total output, with at least two charging points capable of 150kW output.

The regulation also mandates ad-hoc charging payments through cards or contactless devices, without requiring subscriptions. Operators must clearly display prices, wait times, and availability electronically at charging points.

The new regulation covers not only electric cars and vans but also sets deployment targets for heavy-duty electric vehicles, addresses maritime ports and airports, and promotes hydrogen refueling for cars and trucks.

The regulation is part of the “Fit for 55” package of initiatives designed to help the EU achieve its goal of reducing greenhouse emissions by 55 percent by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels) and becoming climate-neutral by 2050. Transportation, responsible for 25 percent of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, with 71 percent from road use, is a significant focus of this regulation.

Before becoming law across the EU, the regulation needs to undergo some formalities after being formally adopted by the Council. The aim is to make charging electric cars as convenient as refueling traditional petrol cars in the near future.