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European Alternative Fuels Observatory

Policy recommendations

Guidelines for policymakers

Through different initiatives, the European Commission is providing guidance and best practice examples to public authorities and other relevant stakeholders on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure and vehicles. Different areas are and will be covered, revised, and updated.

In particular, the main recommendations, reports and handbooks prepared by the Sustainable Transport Forum (STF) are made available in this section. The STF was set up to assist the Commission in implementing the Union’s activities and programmes aimed at fostering the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure to contribute to the European Union energy and climate goals. It serves as a platform for structural dialogue, exchange of technical knowledge, cooperation and coordination between Union Member States and relevant public and private stakeholders. More information on the STF can be found here.

Another important source of guidance is the The Urban Mobility Observatory ELTIS and their mobility plans platform. Current and revised guidelines related to electromobility will be also made available here. For more information on ELTIS and Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans you can visit: https://www.eltis.org/mobility-plans.

Sustainable Transport Forum (STF)

The EAFO consortium supports STF by providing assistance in delivering recommendations across various topics, related to alternative fuel infrastructure. 

STF sub-groups

STF sub-groups are important facilitators of delivering policy recommendations to public authorities. In accordance with Article 5(2) of the Decision establishing the STF and in accordance with Article 8 of the Decision renewing the STF, DG MOVE may set up sub-groups for the purpose of examining specific questions on the basis of terms of reference defined by DG MOVE. Sub-groups report to the STF plenary. They must be dissolved as soon as their mandate is fulfilled.

Policy recommendation
The following sub-groups are currently active or in the process of being set up:

More information on the STF and the sub-groups can be found here.

Task Forces in the Sub-group (3) on best practices of public authorities to support the deployment of recharging infrastructure

TF1: Best practices guide for permitting & grid connection procedures

The objective of the work developed under this task force is the development of a best practice guide for permitting and grid connection procedures. The first step to develop this guide aims to identify, map, and assess the problems encountered in the EU by project developers in the administrative process of applying for a building or operating (environmental) permit, or in the process of applying to the local DSO or TSO for a grid connection for that same infrastructure.

For this, an assessment survey was sent to both Public Authorities and Market Players focusing on gathering information about

  1. Permitting procedures
  2. Grid connection procedures

With this survey, it will be possible to identify specific problems, bottlenecks, or limitations related to those processes, and obtain the point of view of both the Local Authorities and the Charging Point Operators.

TF2: Development of templates, tools, and standard contract provision

The objective of the work developed under this Task force is to create a joint fundament of knowledge, thereby supporting public governments and accelerating the rollout of recharging infrastructure. To reach this goal, a set of different templates, standard contract provisions, and other “off the shelf” solutions will be developed for use by public authorities in their public procurement, concession, license and/or grant award procedures for electric recharging infrastructure.

TF3: Recommendations for recharging infrastructure roll-out for specialised and captive fleets

The objective of the work developed under this Task force is to provide a set of recommendations focused on the deployment of recharging infrastructure for specialised and captive fleets such as taxis, (urban) logistics, and shared fleets.

Captive fleets include:

  • Fleet vehicles with predictable driving and refueling patterns
  • Vehicles making regular visits to or overnight parking at a depot

Specialised and Captive fleets are centrally operated fleets such as:

  • Taxi-fleets /ride-hailing fleets (e.g. Uber)
  • Shared vehicle fleets (e.g. GreenMobility, Cambio, Zipcar)
  • Urban delivery/utility fleets (e.g. DHL, Bpost, PicNic)
  • Urban duty logistics such as special corporate fleets from big operators

TF4: Revision of SUMP electrification Guide

The inclusion of e-mobility in Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans is a fast-developing field that requires an update, since the latest ELTIS Guidelines for SUMP date back to 2019. This task force will develop its work considering new important references. The SUMP guide electrification update will develop under a co-creation process, to reflect local PA planner’s needs, including front-runner's experience but also Local Authorities in the process of SUMP electrification development and less advanced LA who still need to develop a SUMP guide. TF4 work will integrate other relevant STF-PA information as well as information already available from other sources.

TF5: Development of a guide on accessibility of electric recharging infrastructure

The aim of the work developed under this Task force is to support the Public authority’s goals to implement EV charging infrastructure that allows for seamless mobility and accessibility for all users, including persons with disabilities and the elderly. There are still challenges to resolve, with particular emphasis on the fact that the deployment of the recharging infrastructure is happening now, and these concerns aren’t sufficiently addressed.

The work developed under this TF will consider three main levels:

  1. Hardware: pole/charging station (development of EU standards)
  2. Associated parking spaces and surrounding environment (benchmarking of accessibility norms/regulations in different EU Member States or component authorities)
  3. Distribution/location of accessible recharging poles/stations & parking spaces (exchange of experience and good practices with other local stakeholders)

 

Publications

Guidelines for tender procedure for deployment of public electric recharging infrastructure for cars and vans
The report provides updated guidelines to assist public authorities in organizing and executing tenders for deploying publicly accessible electric vehicle recharging infrastructure for cars and vans. It aligns with the new legal framework under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) to guide a comprehensive, competitive, and sustainable roll-out of recharging infrastructure across the EU. The document explains best practices—from integrating mobility and energy strategies to choosing appropriate concession models—and highlights the importance of coordinated planning with grid operators and local authorities. Overall, it serves as a strategic roadmap to accelerate the transition to zero-emission transport by fostering an efficient, consumer-friendly, and future-proof EV recharging network.
Useful links
Guidance of fire safety for electric vehicles parked and charging infrastructure in covered parking spaces
This report, developed by the Sustainable Transport Forum (STF) under the European Commission, provides evidence-based guidelines to mitigate fire risks associated with BEVs and recharging infrastructure in such spaces. Despite data indicating BEVs pose a lower fire risk than internal combustion engine vehicles, their unique challenges—such as thermal runaway and jet fires—require tailored strategies. The guidance focuses on prevention, detection, evacuation, propagation control, and firefighting, offering recommendations for public authorities, parking operators, and other stakeholders to ensure safety while supporting the EU’s decarbonization goals.
Useful links
Recommendations for public authorities supporting the expansion of recharging infrastructure tailored for specialised and captive fleets
This document is the primary deliverable of the Sustainable Transport Forum's Sub-Group 3, that focuses on the best practices of public authorities in facilitating the deployment of recharging infrastructure. Task force 3 (TF3) within Sub-Group 3 is entrusted with providing recommendations aimed at aiding public authorities in supporting the expansion of recharging infrastructure tailored for specialised and captive fleets. For this document, the term ‘specialised and captive fleets’ is defined as vehicles integrated into centrally operated fleets characterised by predictable driving and refuelling patterns. These patterns often entail regular visits to, or overnight parking at, a designated depot. Specialised and captive Fleets encompass a broad spectrum of vehicle types, including but not limited to taxi and ride-hailing fleets, shared mobility services, urban delivery operations, and logistics fleets.
Useful links
From concept to implementation: Common European access point for alternative fuels datahttps://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/132a219e-f3f5-11ef-b7d…
The deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure is critical to advancing sustainable transport across the EU. The common European access point (CEAP), mandated by the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) (Regulation (EU) 2023/1804), aims to facilitate access to data on recharging and refuelling infrastructure. This report compiles recommendations from the Sustainable Transport Forum (STF) expert group through its Sub-groups on Governance & Standards, and Data, to inform and guide the European Commission in the technical implementation of the CEAP that shall be established by December 2026. The report offers technical recommendations on critical areas identified by experts, including data accessibility, data discoverability, API connectivity, visual interface, scalability, and data harvesting, to support an efficient and interoperable data ecosystem for alternative fuels infrastructure.
Useful links
Pricing of Electric Vehicle Recharging in Europe
This report gives an overview of the costs of public recharging for electric vehicles across Europe
Template charging infrastructure agreement
Basic set of documents on AC recharging infrastructure: Template recharging infrastructure agreement
Useful links
Guide to contracting for charging infrastructurehttps://alternative-fuels-observatory.ec.europa.eu/policymakers-and-public-auth…
This document can be used by commissioning parties to enter into contractual arrangements with market operators for the installation, management and/or operation of recharging infrastructure in public, publicly accessible or private spaces.
Useful links
Decision Tree for contracting recharging infrastructure
A decision tree analysis applied to different policies involves using a visual or algorithmic model to assess and compare various policy options. The decision trees represent a structured way to make decisions based on conditions and outcomes.
Useful links