EU Finalizes Deal For Continental EV Charging Network

One of the biggest obstacles standing in the way of mass EV adoption is a lackluster charging infrastructure, and that’s true of the entire globe – not just the U.S. In fact, Ford CEO Jim Farley previously admitted that the company’s charging network needs “major work,” a problem that extends to the UK and other parts of the world. There are plans to expand existing charging infrastructure, however, including in America, where states are able to obtain federal funds to build additional units along major highways and in city centers. Now, the same can be said abroad, where the European Union has finalized a deal for a continental charging network, according to Bloomberg.

On the verge of amending its zero-emissions vehicle policy to allow for e-fuels, the EU will begin rolling out new EV chargers and hydrogen refueling stations following the approval of a new deal that calls for one EV charging station to be located every 37 miles on key roads throughout the region, with the latter type of stations spaced 124 miles apart by 2031.

This process is expected to be completed by 2026 as far as EV charger expansion goes, with truck-specific charging stations being added as well and placed around 75 miles apart, with half of those expected to be installed by 2028. Meanwhile, the proposed hydrogen stations should be up and running by 2031, completing an expansion that’s designed to wean Europeans off of traditional ICE vehicles and toward greener alternatives.

“The new rules will ensure that driving and charging a new generation car is as simple and convenient as one that depends on petrol,” said Ismail Ertug, the lawmaker responsible for the negotiations. “We have to decarbonize the transport sector, which is still responsible for a huge bulk of emissions.”

We’ll have more on this new EV charging network soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.