Chargers for electric cars every 60 kilometres and for trucks every 120: mandatory across the EU

We already know that charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is one of the outstanding issues for many countries. Spain lags behind other European countries in this respect and has a long way to go to improve. Even more so now that the European Parliament wants a charger for electric cars every 60 kilometres to be mandatory.

These chargers should be available on the so-called Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), located every 60 kilometres to make it easier to charge the electric cars travelling along it. And it is not only the distance between charging points that is addressed, but also the minimum technical characteristics they must have in order to offer an optimal service.

Each charging station must have a minimum power of 400 kW, although from 2028 this minimum will rise to 600 kW. However, the regulation approved by the European Council, which is still provisional and must still be worked on, establishes that there must also be a network for charging the batteries of electric trucks and buses.

In this case, the maximum distance between them is 120 kilometres. The power for these chargers increases to at least 1,400 kW and at most 2,800 kW. The power varies depending on the importance of the road where the charger is located. From 2028 these charging points must be complemented by charging stations in secure, supervised car parks.

Another point covered by this regulation is the construction of hydrogen refuelling points every 200 kilometres, also on the TEN-T. In these cases, exemptions will also be established for roads with little traffic, outermost regions or islands.

And finally, one of the major problems faced by electric vehicle users has been addressed: how recharges are paid for. Currently, each service provider has its own app that must be downloaded and used to make payments, which means having several of them in order to charge the battery.

Work is under way so that charging station operators establish a payment system by credit or debit card, contactless devices or payment links via a QR code. In addition, payment must be made per kWh or per minute of service for battery charging, and per kilogram for hydrogen.

This agreement is still provisional and must be approved by the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Council and the Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism, and then jointly by Parliament and the Council.