Two transportation industry organizations have called on the European Commission to create a dedicated EU framework for semi-private charging infrastructure as part of the upcoming review of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).
According to the groups, depot-based charging represents a critical component of heavy-duty vehicle electrification strategy. Operators charging trucks at their own facilities can optimize costs and reduce reliance on public networks. However, depot charging alone proves insufficient since trucks must operate beyond home locations and many smaller operators lack the scale, space, or financial resources to build adequate infrastructure independently.
The organizations propose recognizing semi-private business-to-business charging as a distinct category within the regulatory framework. Under this model, transport operators, logistics companies, and shippers could voluntarily make portions of their charging capacity available to other businesses, such as subcontractors and smaller operators. This approach would differ fundamentally from traditional public charging stations, as companies would maintain control over access and prioritization of their own operations.
The groups emphasize that implementing proportionate conditions would encourage infrastructure sharing without transforming transport operators into charging service providers. They specifically note that updating the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) would prevent disproportionate administrative burdens and preserve eligibility for previously granted financial support.
The proposal targets particular benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises that currently lack capacity to develop independent infrastructure. Additionally, semi-private charging located at strategic transport sites such as depots and logistics hubs would expand overall network capacity. The organizations contend that public, private, and semi-private infrastructure should function as complementary elements within an integrated charging ecosystem to support zero-emission truck fleet expansion across all operator categories.
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