AFIR in 2025: The 60 km Rule, Contactless Payments and kWh-Based Pricing

Q: Do I still need multiple apps to pay?

New public charge points must support ad-hoc card/contactless or a secure web/QR flow depending on power level and install date; apps can still help with loyalty or pricing.

Q: Are per-minute fees banned in the EU?

No. For ≥50 kW DC, the energy price must be per-kWh. Operators may add a per-minute idle fee shown upfront.

Q: When will every fast charger accept cards?

EU guidance foresees retrofitting ≥50 kW sites along key corridors by 1 January 2027, while new sites already require ad-hoc card/contactless acceptance.

Q: Is the 60 km rule live everywhere?

Member States are phasing coverage along TEN-T with milestones to 2030. The practical effect in 2025 is more frequent fast-charging pools and clearer spacing on major routes.

For a site owner, understandable pricing is something to configure and check before the first visitor arrives. EVCharge.mobi lets you build connector tariffs, review price coverage and prepare a charger for public use. This article connects the original AFIR background with that operating workflow.

Originally published in 2025. The EVCharge.mobi workflow was updated in September 2026; the historical discussion below retains its original context.

Put price transparency into the charging workflow

In the CPO Portal, open Tariffs and define the currency, tax and pricing rules. Use the price outlook and coverage views to inspect the hours customers will charge, then assign the tariff to the intended connectors.

Configure workspace payment settings and open Charger → Publicity. The checklist brings together location, tariff, payment and feature-access requirements before you make the charger public. Follow the tariff guide and payment guide while preparing your first connector.

Check the driver-facing connector details as part of the handover. This gives you a repeatable software workflow; it does not establish compliance with every requirement for a site's physical payment equipment. An EVCharge account also does not imply access to every roaming network.

Why this matters in 2025

If you bought or rented an EV in Europe this year, you’ve probably heard of AFIR — the EU regulation designed to make public charging simple and predictable. Below we break down what’s already applicable, what’s coming, and how to use the rules to your advantage on the road.

AFIR at a glance (driver’s version)

Coverage on TEN‑T Expect fast‑charging pools roughly every 60 km along the trans‑European road network as countries build toward AFIR targets (progressive milestones to 2030). Fewer “charging deserts”, more predictable planning.

Ad‑hoc payments Ad‑hoc possible without an account (no app required at the point of sale). Newly installed public charge points must support ad‑hoc payments via card/contactless (≥50 kW DC) or a secure web/QR flow (typically for AC <50 kW), depending on site power and deployment date. Roaming apps remain valuable for price comparison, cross‑network access, one‑bill invoicing and loyalty discounts.

Price transparency Clear, comparable prices before you start a session. ≥50 kW DC must show energy price per kWh; an idle (occupancy) fee per minute may apply after a grace period to keep bays turning.

Retrofits Older ≥50 kW sites along key corridors are being retrofitted for card/contactless with deadlines set for 2027 in EU guidance.

Tip: When you see both app and card options, compare the on‑site ad‑hoc kWh price vs any roaming/app price. On busy hubs, ad‑hoc can be cheaper.

Paying without an account: how it works (and when apps are better)

≥50 kW DC Tap your debit/credit card or phone on the terminal to start a session. Many operators also offer app/RFID options — but AFIR requires a widely used payment method for ad‑hoc use.

AC (<50 kW) Look for a dynamic QR code or a screen that leads to a secure checkout page. You confirm the tariff, authenticate and start charging; receipts are usually emailed.

Receipts & refunds Most ad‑hoc terminals place a temporary pre‑authorisation hold. Your final receipt will reflect the kWh used plus any idle fee (if triggered).

Why roaming apps still matter in 2025

Best price, fewer surprises: Compare on‑site ad‑hoc kWh tariffs with roaming offers and loyalty discounts.
One account, many networks: Cross‑border access without juggling multiple MSPs/RFIDs.
Unified invoices & history: Easier expense reporting and VAT management.
Trip tools: Live availability, congestion signals, smart stop timing; in some markets, reservations where supported by the CPO.

Pricing rules

≥50 kW DC: the ad‑hoc energy component must be per‑kWh. Operators may add a per‑minute idle fee that starts after a grace period or after reaching target SoC.
<50 kW AC: display of price components must be clear (typical formats include per‑kWh, per‑minute and/or per‑session).
Before you plug in: AFIR requires that all price components are shown upfront on the charger or a linked page.

For operators & site owners (quick compliance checklist)

Payments: Ensure card/contactless on ≥50 kW DC for new installs; deploy a secure QR/web flow at AC where appropriate. Plan retrofits for legacy ≥50 kW along required corridors by 2027.
Tariff display: Show per‑kWh energy price (≥50 kW) and any idle fee/minute clearly before session start.
Signage & accessibility: Make pricing and ad‑hoc instructions legible; consider accessibility (height, reach, glare) and language.
Data & uptime: Monitor failures and authorisation declines; keep a playbook for fallback ad‑hoc payments during MSP/OCPP incidents.

Quick FAQ

Do I still need multiple apps to pay? Not necessarily. New public charge points must support ad‑hoc payment with widely used instruments (card/contactless) or a secure web/QR flow, depending on power level and install date. Some roaming services offer cross-network access and combined billing; check the networks and features supported by each provider.

Are per‑minute fees banned in the EU? No. For ≥50 kW DC, the energy price must be per‑kWh. Operators may add an idle (occupancy) fee per minute to discourage blocking, shown upfront.

When will every fast charger accept cards? EU guidance foresees retrofitting ≥50 kW sites along key corridors by 1 January 2027, while new sites already need ad‑hoc card/contactless acceptance.

Is the 60 km rule “live” everywhere? Member States are phasing coverage along TEN‑T with milestones to 2030. The practical effect in 2025 is more frequent fast‑charging pools and clearer spacing on major routes.