Help Shape Europe’s Charging Future: Support the AFIR Call for Evidence
The European Commission is currently reviewing the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), a process that will have important implications for the future deployment and operation of alternative fuels infrastructure across the European Union. For the EV charging sector, this is a key moment to help ensure that Europe’s regulatory framework continues to support a charging ecosystem that is interoperable, future-proof, secure, and ready for innovation.
As part of this process, the Open Charge Alliance (OCA) has submitted its contribution to the European Commission’s Call for Evidence, focusing on the role of open communication standards in enabling a scalable, interoperable, and future-ready charging ecosystem.
The role of open standards
At the centre of OCA’s contribution is the importance of OCPP, standardised in the IEC 63584 series, as the common communication protocol between charging stations and central management systems. OCA highlights that a harmonised approach to this interface is essential to ensure that charging infrastructure across Europe can operate seamlessly across different manufacturers, service providers, and national markets.
A common European communication standard would help prevent fragmentation of the charging ecosystem, reduce reliance on proprietary solutions, and provide greater predictability for long-term infrastructure investment. As charging infrastructure continues to scale across Europe, regulatory clarity on this interface is essential to support efficient and coordinated deployment across Member States.
Interoperability is not only a matter of technical compatibility. It is also a prerequisite for a well-functioning internal market for e-mobility services. A consistent communication framework enables plug-and-play integration, supports competition on services rather than proprietary systems, and facilitates cross-border usability for electric vehicle drivers.
Enabling smart charging and future developments
OCA’s contribution also underlines that IEC 63584-210 is not only important for interoperability, but also for enabling advanced charging functionalities. These include smart charging, integration with electricity system requirements, support for ISO 15118-20, and bidirectional charging capabilities such as vehicle-to-grid services.
These functionalities are becoming increasingly important as electric mobility evolves and plays a larger role in supporting energy system flexibility and the integration of renewable energy sources.
The importance of certification
At the same time, experience in the market shows that standards alone are not enough. Without consistent implementation, testing, and compliance mechanisms, interoperability cannot be guaranteed in practice.
That is why OCA also highlights the importance of certification and compliance frameworks, such as the OCPP 2.1 Certification Programme based on IEC 63584-210 test cases. These mechanisms are essential to help ensure that implementations are aligned and that interoperability is achieved across the ecosystem.
We need your help!
But policymakers should not only hear from industry organisations. Real-world experiences from the market are equally important.
That is why we invite OCA members and OCPP enthusiasts to support this Call for Evidence by sharing their own positive experiences with OCPP. Whether you are a charge point manufacturer, software provider, charge point operator, test lab, integrator, or another stakeholder in the EV charging ecosystem, your perspective can help demonstrate how open standards are driving the industry forward.
How you can contribute
We encourage you to engage directly in this process and help OCA reinforce a coherent industry position. This can be done by leaving your own feedback on the European Commission’s Have Your Say Portal. Any examples of what you can share are:
- How OCPP has supported interoperability in your work
- How open standards help reduce complexity and increase flexibility
- How OCPP contributes to innovation, competition, and long-term market growth
- Why a harmonised, open, and secure charging ecosystem is important for Europe
By contributing your voice, you can help show the European Commission that interoperable and open charging infrastructure is not only a technical necessity, but also a key condition for a competitive, reliable, and future-ready European market.
We encourage all members and supporters of open EV charging standards to take part and help strengthen the case for OCPP in Europe’s regulatory future.
