EU regulations
Welcome back to the we.digitize blog! Here we regularly inform you about current developments and provide insights into exciting topics relating to our company and the industry. In this article, we summarize current regulations, EU regulations and national regulations that are important for our innovative products LiveCharger® and LiveLocker®.
AFIR
The AFIR (Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation) is the latest regulation and has been valid in all EU member states since April 13, 2024. It specifies how many charging stations must be built in Europe and how they should function. The aim is to make charging electric cars in the EU simple, fast and possible everywhere. The aim is to achieve a uniform and comprehensive charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in the EU.
This includes a number of regulations that must be adhered to.
First of all, fast charging points are to be set up every 60 kilometers on freeways and car charging stations must offer at least 150 kW. It must also be possible to charge several cars simultaneously at one charging point. Charging points for trucks and buses are also to be provided on important routes.
Payment should be possible without a contract, i.e. by debit/credit card or contactless.
Die Preise sollen dafür transparent und klar sichtbar vor dem Laden sein. Die Kosten müssen verständlich und vergleichbar sein, es soll keine versteckten Gebühren geben.
To provide a good overview, real-time information on available charging points and prices should be accessible via the navigation system or an app.
The aim is to make electromobility simpler and more reliable and reduce range anxiety. That is why they want to set EU-wide standards. The EU wants more people to switch to electric driving and this requires a reliable network of charging points, as is the case with petrol stations. The new regulation ensures that you no longer have to worry about whether you can charge on the road.
Device safety and CE obligation
As charging stations are considered electrical devices according to the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU), strict safety and conformity requirements must be met. This directive applies to all devices with an operating voltage between 50 and 1000 volts alternating current (AC) or 75 to 1500 volts direct current (DC). This applies to almost all charging solutions in the public and semi-public sector. For us, this means that every charging station that is planned or used must bear a valid CE marking and meet the relevant safety requirements.
The aim of the Low Voltage Directive is to define the basic requirements for the electrical safety of devices that are operated within certain voltage ranges. This is to ensure that electrical products can be used safely in the EU.
The current version of the directive was published on March 29, 2014. It came into force on April 20, 2016 and replaced the previous Directive 2006/95/EG.
Digital security
The Cyber Resilience Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 created uniform cyber security standards for digital products for the first time. This also includes our LiveCharger® and LiveLocker®. The regulation was officially adopted on December 10, 2024 and will come into full force from December 2027 after a transitional period.
For all operators and manufacturers, this means that every smart solution that is controlled via software or connected to the internet must meet certain security requirements in future. These include protection against unauthorized access, secure communication, regular software updates and transparent security information for users. In addition, the handling of security vulnerabilities and reporting obligations is clearly regulated.
The aim is to strengthen the digital resilience of the infrastructure and better protect both operators and end users against manipulation, data theft and outages.
Circular economy and battery safety
With the new Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, the EU is pursuing the goal of making batteries more sustainable over their entire life cycle. This regulation has been in force since February 18, 2024. Stationary energy storage systems are also affected by this regulation, so this also applies to modern charging infrastructure. Here, too, manufacturers and operators must meet strict requirements, including balancing the carbon footprint across production, transportation and use. In addition, recycled raw materials must now be used. Proof of durability, reusability and safe dismantling are also important. In addition, there must be seamless labeling and traceability via a digital battery passport (from 2027) and safe take-back and recycling processes at the end of the service life.
Buildings and energy efficiency requirements
The revised EU Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and Renewable Energy Directive (RED) are driving forward the expansion of sustainable charging infrastructure on a massive scale. From 2025, new requirements will apply to new buildings and major renovations. In future, residential and non-residential buildings will have to integrate the planned cable infrastructure and, in some cases, functional charging points. This depends on the type of building, size and number of parking spaces.
At the same time, the Energy Efficiency Directive requires charging processes to be as energy-efficient and consumption-optimized as possible. The addition of the Renewable Energy Directive also brings with it the obligation to integrate renewable energy sources. The aim is to offer intelligent and flexible charging solutions that help to reduce the load on the grid and contribute to the energy targets for 2030/2050.
As a result, charging infrastructure will no longer be optional, but an integral part of energy-efficient building planning.
Practice and effects
The large number of new EU regulations on digital infrastructure, energy efficiency, cyber security and product responsibility have a direct impact on practice. It not only affects energy suppliers and grid operators, but also private operators, municipalities and system providers in the field of charging infrastructure and digital service products such as smart locker systems.
For the operators of charging stations, all of these requirements mean additional technical effort due to payment functions. In addition, there are IT integrations in back-end systems for real-time price display, usage documentation and cyber protection. There are also higher acquisition costs, particularly due to additional hardware, security software, CE marking with the cyber component and also emergency power and storage systems. There are also ongoing maintenance costs, as security updates are mandatory, as well as reporting obligations in the event of incidents.
These EU regulations also have practical implications for digital lockers. Providers and operators are particularly affected by regulations if their systems run via an app or website and are controlled via an API. This is where the Cyber Resilience Regulation comes into play. If locker systems contain a rechargeable battery or backup batteries, the Battery Ordinance applies. If locker systems are publicly accessible and have a payment function or require user identification, they are also affected by certain regulations.
Overall, it can be said that the standard of such smart systems is becoming higher, but the demands are also increasing as a result. The EU is creating new and uniform framework conditions, which are of course demanding, but effective. This increases investment in quality, security and digital interfaces. In the long term, it promotes future-proofing, eligibility for funding and also compatibility with municipal and private smart infrastructure projects.
Our claim
With our smart solutions LiveCharger® and LiveLocker®, we pursue a clear objective. Technology should not only work, but also create trust. We develop smart systems that are intuitive to use, safe to operate and sustainable in use. We attach particular importance to user-friendliness that is geared towards real needs. Transparency in use and data protection are also very important to us. Added to this is the reliability and regular maintenance of our systems to ensure long-term operational stability. Another major requirement is to cover interdisciplinary skills, from electrical engineering and IT to design and planning.
We believe that only those who think about tomorrow today can create a truly smart infrastructure. For this reason, we rely on open interfaces and energy-efficient solutions.
Outlook and conclusion
Looking to the future, it is clear that the regulatory requirements for charging infrastructure and digital systems are constantly increasing. From 2027, the Cyber Resilience Regulation will come into full force and will oblige manufacturers and operators to design networked products such as charging stations and digital locker systems to be secure, updatable and transparent. At the same time, the AFIR regulation stipulates nationwide network coverage along important transport routes by 2030, with binding minimum standards for performance, affordability and accessibility.
These measures are also important for the European climate targets as part of the Fit for 55 initiative, which aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 55% by 2030. The charging infrastructure plays a key role here, both in public spaces and in commercial and residential projects. It is not just the number of charging points that counts, but also the quality, safety and integration into sustainable energy concepts.
So we have our direction clearly in mind. Our smart systems look to a future of more transparency, more security and more user-friendliness. Those who invest also benefit in terms of trust, eligibility and sustainability. We are already looking forward to continuing along this path.
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