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.
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.
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.
Better than before — but the unified account turns these scattered improvements into a seamless journey.
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.
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