AFIR in Practice: What Changed at the Charger (Payments, kWh, Transparency)
The screen changed before the queue did
On April mornings in 2025, drivers noticed something subtle: the price per kWh now showed up before they tapped Start, and a contactless symbol appeared next to the RFID reader. The law behind those tweaks is the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation — AFIR — which quietly rewires what must be visible and payable at a public charger. But here’s the catch: AFIR guarantees only the minimum access. The real breakthrough comes from unified accounts that make charging consistent across networks.
Baseline vs full experience
AFIR sets a floor for access and transparency. It guarantees ad‑hoc payment (no app contract required) and clear energy pricing at high‑power sites. But it does not give drivers one invoice across networks, loyalty options, or smart scheduling. Those come from a unified account system that rides on top of AFIR.
The new must‑haves
Ad‑hoc access, no membership required. Public chargers in the EU must allow drivers to pay without a prior contract. For ≥50 kW DC points, that means open‑loop card/contactless; for AC, a secure web/QR flow works where card readers are impractical. This baseline matters most for tourists and first‑timers.
Per‑kWh energy price on DC, upfront. At fast/ultra‑fast chargers, AFIR says the energy price must be per kWh and displayed before start. Operators may add an occupancy fee per minute, but other transaction fees at those DC points are not allowed.
Transparency. Price components must be clear to the user — but only per session. Without an account, you still collect scattered receipts. With one account, they’re consolidated into a single invoice.
Why a unified account beats the legal minimum
- Receipts: AFIR ensures a price; an account ensures auditable, consolidated receipts.
- Roaming: AFIR ensures local access; an account ensures cross‑network use without juggling apps.
- Pricing: AFIR ensures transparency; an account adds comparison tools, loyalty tiers and perks.
- Fleet control: AFIR ensures tourists can charge; an account ensures companies can set policies, limits and reports.
Timeline & retrofits
- In force: 13 April 2024 — new chargers comply from day one.
- By 1 January 2027: fast chargers (≥50 kW) along TEN‑T corridors and in secure parking must be retrofitted to meet card/contactless rules.
- Rolling national guidance (2024–2025): Member States publish notes on signage, language and accessibility.
At the charger — what drivers will actually see in 2025–2027
- A contactless symbol (and card reader) on ≥50 kW DC dispensers; QR/web prompts common on AC.
- A pre‑start screen with kWh price (DC) and any idle fee policy.
- A clean receipt per session.
Better than before — but the unified account turns these scattered improvements into a seamless journey.
The tricky corners
- Transaction fees on DC. AFIR bans them; accounts help users see when operators move costs into tiers.
- Price parity vs promos. AFIR requires clarity, not parity. Accounts show both prices side‑by‑side.
- AC QR flows. AFIR says they must be secure. Accounts make them automatic with saved credentials.
Reader’s takeaway
Use AFIR’s rights when you need a quick fallback. But for daily life, stick with a unified account: one login, one invoice, roaming across borders, perks that AFIR doesn’t legislate.