How EU countries are supporting national charging networks

The eMobility sector has been significantly shaped by EU guidance and regulation, and for many countries, it continues to be a key strategy. However, as Member States develop, they adopt a strategy that is more locally-focused and adapted to their unique dynamics and requirements. In some instances, these regional markets have established new regulations that go beyond EU law.

Ad hoc recharging using contactless card payments, smart recharging segments, and the value of using vehicle-to-grid (V2G) to harness EV surplus capacity are examples of regulatory innovations that demonstrate the maturity of markets and their capacity to go above and beyond the minimal requirements outlined by EU guidance and regulations.

The presence of direct EV targets and EV recharging infrastructure among EU Member States has aided in defining their goals and sizing their infrastructure appropriately. There are differences between Member States, with some choosing to set ambitious targets in their National Implementation Reports (NIR) while others choose to set more moderate objectives.

Some nations have established their own legally binding recharger targets in addition to the EU-mandated targets. The report gives a thorough overview of the regulatory dynamics in each nation’s position on the rollout of EVs and the subsequent penetration ratio of chargers.

In light of the development of EV infrastructure, each of the EU27 + UK markets has a distinct regulatory maturity level. While some nations adopt EU regulations and guidance, others have established new rules and set aspirational recharger penetration ratio goals. The existence of regulatory innovations shows that markets are mature and have the capacity to exceed the minimal standards imposed by EU regulations and guidance.

Source: Charles Rivers Association. (2023). Competition analysis of the electric vehicle recharging market across the EU27 + the UK. European Commission. Access Report here