Denmark
The Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Act (The AFI Act)
What is the AFI Act?
The AFI act (in Danish ‘Lov om infrastruktur for alternative drivmidler’) implements the EU Directive on alternative fuels and entered into force on 6 April 2022. It sets out requirements for the establishment and operation of publicly accessible EV charging points on areas with public access. With the AFI Act, municipalities and regions have been granted the authority to enter into agreements with private entities for the establishment of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations as well as the right to operate such charging stations on areas with public access.
Who do the regulations apply to?
The Danish AFI Act applies to the following:
- Municipalities and regions – They have the authority to plan, facilitate, and enter into agreements with private operators to establish publicly accessible charging infrastructure on public land. They can also act as operators of charging stations on such land.
- Private operators and businesses – Companies that establish, own, or operate publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations must comply with the requirements set out in the law regarding accessibility, interoperability, and transparency.
- Property owners and developers – In certain cases, especially related to new construction or major renovations, they must prepare for the installation of charging infrastructure, ensuring readiness for EV charging.
- Public authorities and entities responsible for public areas – Responsible for ensuring that public infrastructure complies with the law’s provisions.
According to section 1, the AFI further specifically applies to the following:
- Charging points for electric vehicles.
- Refuelling stations for vehicles and vessels.
- Shore-side electricity supply for vessels.
- Vehicle manuals related to vehicles which were placed on the market for the first time before 13 April 2024.
What are the requirements?
It follows from section 3 of the AFI Act that agreements between a public contracting authority and an operator of charging points concerning the right to act as operator of publicly accessible charging points - as well as the right to operate charging points intended for the charging of private vehicles belonging to the authority’s employees and guests - must be concluded on market terms. Furthermore, Chapter 3 of the AFI Act sets out rules governing the conclusion of agreements by municipalities and regions on the establishment of charging points and the right to act as operator. In practice that means that entering into such agreements requires either conducting a tender or concession procedure.
According to section 4 of the AFI Act, municipal and regional councils may only enter into agreements with charging point operators concerning the installation of publicly accessible charging points, or charging points intended for private vehicles belonging to municipal or regional employees and guests, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3. Such agreements may only pertain to charging points that are installed or will be installed on land owned or controlled by the municipality or region.
Who enforces the regulations?
The AFI act is enforced by The Danish Ministry of Transport enforces the regulation.
The Danish Charging Station Executive Order (no. 181 af 05/03/2020)
What is the Danish Charging Station Executive Order?
The Danish Charging Station Executive Order (no. 181 af 05/03/2020) sets out technical specifications and requirements for publicly accessible charging stations, including provisions for preparing charging infrastructure during major renovation or reconstruction projects in residential buildings.
The Danish Safety Technology Authority, in collaboration with TEKNIQ Employers, have prepared guidelines on charging stations in relation to buildings which can be seen here.
Who do the regulations apply to?
The Charging Station Executive Order Section 1 lays down provisions for the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles and for the preparation for the installation of such charging stations. The Executive Order applies only to:
- Existing buildings that are not residential buildings and have more than 20 parking spaces.
- Major renovation of buildings with more than 10 parking spaces.
- New constructions with more than 10 parking spaces.
What are the requirements?
The section “Demands” in sections 3-5 lists the requirements:
- Section 3 Existing Buildings: Determines that existing buildings with more than 20 parking spaces, which are not residential buildings, must have at least one charging station installed in connection with the parking facility.
- Section 4 Major renovations: Determines that residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces undergoing a major renovation must prepare all renovated parking spaces for charging stations.
- Section 5 New constructions: Determines that residential buildings with more than 10 parking spaces must prepare all parking spaces for charging stations.
Charging stations established pursuant to this Executive Order must comply with the requirements for Type 2 connectors as specified in DS/EN 62196-2 Plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets – Conductive charging of electric vehicles – Part 2: Dimensional compatibility and interchangeability requirements for AC pin and contact-tube accessories.
As an alternative to subsection 1, high-power charging stations based on direct current (DC) may be used, with connectors for the Combined Charging System "Combo 2" as described in the standard EN 62196-3 Plugs, socket-outlets, vehicle connectors and vehicle inlets for electric vehicles – Part 3: Dimensional compatibility and interchangeability requirements for DC and AC/DC pin and contact-tube accessories.
Who enforces the regulations?
The Danish Ministry of Transport enforces the regulation.
