Apr 17, 2026

[Workshop] Exploring AFIR implementation challenges and grid readiness for truck charging

Monday, April 6th, 2026

The rollout of truck charging infrastructure along the TEN-T network is increasingly shaped by two linked policy discussions. On one side, the European Commission has opened a Call for Evidence for the review of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which explicitly invites stakeholders to provide feedback, evidence, research and findings on the functioning of the Regulation, possible solutions, impacts, and implementation considerations. On the other side, in December 2025 the EU Grids Package was presented, including a proposal to revise TEN-E and measures to accelerate permitting.

Notably, evidence coming from consultation activities, carried out within the FLEXMCS and MACBETH projects, with ALICE members and external stakeholders suggests AFIR delivery risks are closely tied to a broader structural mismatch between transport infrastructure targets and energy infrastructure planning and funding.

High-capacity truck charging deployment depends on timely grid connections, substations, transformers and upstream reinforcements, yet these are not adequately reflected in current TEN-E eligibility and CEF funding logic. This creates a risk of delays, underpowered sites, higher costs and uneven corridor development across Member States.

This session is therefore intended as both an exploratory expert exchange and a targeted evidence-gathering discussion to help shape feedback on AFIR and TEN-E regulations.

Objectives

The session aims to bring together a group of experts from across the truck charging ecosystem to:

• test and discuss the problem framing through practical experience and evidence from the industry
• explore how far the challenges raised under AFIR are linked to wider TEN-E and grid-readiness bottlenecks
• raise awareness of the policy, planning, and funding gaps affecting corridor energy readiness
• to gauge interest in supporting a possible follow-up initiative around this topic or verify the presence of existing initiatives currently undergoing

AGENDA

• Welcome & framing. Alice Scotti (ALICE)  
• Scene-setting. Janez Humar (ELES)
  • Roundtable of introduction and discussion
  • Focused discussion
  • Moderated exchange around three core blocks:
    • eligibility, what should count as essential infrastructure for truck charging, both on the energy and infrastructure side
    • funding, how current CEF / AFIF and TEN-E logic supports deployment vs what is covered by the Competitive Fund or National fundings
    • governance, how transport and energy planning should better connect
• Wrap-up and next steps. Alice Scotti (ALICE) 

REGISTRATION

*This event is by invitation only

The recorded session videos and presentations will be available in the ALICE Knowledge Platform Efficient and Low Emissions Assets and Energy event page:

FLEXMCS has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101192657. MACBETH has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101192466. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.