Buying an EV to use for your 15-minute commute to work is one thing, but what about taking one across an entire continent? That’s about to get a whole lot easier in Europe thanks to a new EU law that promises to massively expand access to charging points on major routes.
The new legislation demands that fast charging stations offering at least 150 kW chargers to cars and vans be installed every 37 miles (60 km) along Europe‘s main transport routes, and that those chargers should take contactless payment without a driver first having to register with a provider. The EU also wants providers to give drivers clear access to information about charger pricing and availability to avoid them getting a shock when they arrive to hook-up.
It also insists on heavy duty 350 kW chargers for trucks be accessible every 37 miles on the core trans-European transport (TEN-T) network and every 62 miles (100 km) on other major TEN-T roads by 2025, with the aim of building up to full network coverage by 2030.
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But in a major boost to the prospects of the hydrogen vehicles we keep hearing will one day be a real threat to conventional EVs, the new law guarantees both cars and heavy trucks access to hydrogen refueling stations every 124 miles (200 km).
The legislation is part of the EU’s Fit For 55 program that aims to reduce greenhouse gases by 55 percent by 2030, and its scope extends far beyond road transport. Airports are required to provide electricity to stationary aircraft at all gates by 2025, and at all remote stands by 2030, and ports used by large passenger vessels and container ships are legally obliged to provide shore-side charging by 2030.