On 19 October, the European Parliament endorsed MEP Ismael Ertug's report on the Commission's proposal for the roll out of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). The report was adopted by a large majority of 486 votes in favour and 65 against, showing strong support for this important instrument to achieve the European Union's (EU) goal of climate neutrality. In the view of the European Parliament, the use of publicly accessible recharging stations must be accessible to all users, ‘regardless of the automobile brand’ in a user friendly and non-discriminatory way (Recital 30 a).
CHAdeMO welcomes this decision, which reaffirms the continued importance of the multistandard approach as recognised in the AFID under Recital 33. Indeed, the Association has been requesting the EU legislators to put in place a minimum mandate for multistandard charge points at each recharging pool, because an equitable and affordable recharging infrastructure network is key to ensure the charging needs of all EV drivers and to support the development of e-mobility.
In order to find common ground and develop a common position on AFIR, the three institutions have started trilogue meetings in October to discuss and negotiate the details of the final review.
