AFIR and ISO 15118: does your charging infrastructure comply with the new regulatory framework?
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Europe is entering a decisive phase. For manufacturers, charge point operators (CPOs) and energy companies, the challenge is no longer just to deploy more charging points, but to ensure that today’s technical decisions remain valid in the years to come.
With the entry into force of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), regulation is no longer a guideline. It has become a critical factor that directly impacts planning, operation and long-term viability of publicly accessible charging infrastructure.
When the risk is no longer technological, but strategic
Many charging networks have been deployed in a context of rapid growth, with strong pressure to reduce lead times and costs. However, the new regulatory framework introduces a key question for operations and technology managers:
Will the charging points we are installing or upgrading today still comply with mandatory requirements tomorrow?
The risk is no longer purely technological, but strategic and financial. A charging point that does not comply with AFIR requirements may lead to:
- Investments losing value before being amortised
- Unplanned costs for upgrades or replacement
- Interoperability issues with certain vehicle models
- Direct impact on user experience and operator reputation
In this context, a wrong technical decision can quickly become a serious operational problem.
AFIR: a rule change that requires anticipation
AFIR establishes mandatory technical requirements for publicly accessible charging points across the European Union. Among them, the progressive adoption of the ISO 15118 standard represents a major shift in the way vehicles and chargers communicate.
Since 8 January 2026, newly installed or renovated AC charging points must comply with ISO 15118-2.
From 1 January 2027, compliance with ISO 15118-20 will be mandatory, enabling new services and future business models.
These dates are not just regulatory milestones. For manufacturers, operators and energy companies, they are decision thresholds beyond which a poor technical choice can translate into operational and economic risk.
ISO 15118: much more than Plug & Charge
ISO 15118 is often associated solely with Plug & Charge. In reality, its impact goes far beyond that.
Its implementation affects:
- Charging point architecture
- Embedded software and backend systems
- Cybersecurity
- Real interoperability with different vehicle manufacturers
In practice, this means complex upgrades, technological dependencies and validation processes that are not always clearly defined. Moreover, not all solutions that claim compliance behave correctly under real operating conditions.
Laboratory testing is already revealing cases where charging points that declare ISO 15118 compatibility do not fully comply with communication requirements in practice, highlighting the need to go beyond documentation and declarations of conformity.
The real challenge is not compliance, but knowing how to comply
In this context, the main challenge is not simply “complying with the regulation”, but understanding how to do so without compromising service continuity or increasing costs unnecessarily.
Before deploying or upgrading infrastructure, stakeholders need reliable answers to questions such as:
- Which charging points can be adapted through software or hardware upgrades, and which cannot
- What impact the regulation will have on daily operation and maintenance
- What technical risks exist before certification or market deployment
- How to ensure real interoperability between chargers, vehicles and backend platforms
Technical validation and testing under real conditions become essential tools to reduce uncertainty and protect investments.
CIRCE as a technical partner to reduce risk
At CIRCE’s Electric Mobility Laboratory, we work with manufacturers, charge point operators and energy companies to assess, validate and test real charging infrastructure against AFIR and ISO 15118 requirements.
Our role goes beyond regulatory interpretation. We support our partners throughout the entire process, from analysing the real impact of AFIR on their infrastructure to integration, validation and testing of solutions, always with a practical, operation-oriented approach.
The goal is not simply to declare compliance, but to ensure that solutions are reliable, interoperable and sustainable in real-world operation, avoiding costly surprises after deployment.
Anticipate today to avoid corrections tomorrow
Experience shows that late adaptation to regulations of this scale often leads to higher costs and limited room for manoeuvre. Anticipation, on the other hand, allows organisations to:
- Protect existing investments
- Reduce technical and operational risks
- Improve end-user experience
- Prepare infrastructure for future developments such as smart energy management or bidirectional charging
In an environment where regulation and technology evolve at the same pace, having an independent technical partner can make the difference between reacting to change and leading it.
Let’s talk about your charging infrastructure
Every charging network has its own specific challenges. At CIRCE, we help assess, validate and prepare real infrastructure to comply with AFIR without surprises.
If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact our technical team.
