All EU states except Malta meet AFIR charging targets as public capacity outpaces EV fleet growth
By Eve
Public charging infrastructure across the EU has grown faster than the battery-electric vehicle fleet, with all member states except Malta meeting the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) requirement of 1.3 kW of publicly accessible charging capacity per battery-electric vehicle by the end of March 2026, according to Transport & Environment (T&E). Total public charging capacity across the EU exceeds the minimum target by 180%. On geographical deployment, 79% of the TEN-T Core road network met the 2025 requirement for ultra-fast charging stations (minimum 150 kW output) every 60 kilometres as of June 2026, with Western Europe achieving over 99% compliance while gaps remain mainly in Spain and Central and Eastern European countries.
Why it matters: The analysis confirms that AFIR's fleet-based and geographical targets are driving infrastructure rollout ahead of EV adoption, validating the regulatory framework for CPOs planning network expansion. The concentration of remaining gaps in Spain and Central and Eastern Europe signals where procurement opportunities and public funding are likely to focus in the near term.