Finland
Background on Finland's regulatory framework
In the EU, EV charging infrastructure is currently mainly regulated by Directive 2010/31/EU on the Energy Performance of Buildings (as amended). The Directive includes requirements on installing EV recharging points and ducting infrastructure in connection with buildings.
According to Article 8 of the Directive, Member States are required to make sure that:
- Regarding new non-residential buildings and non-residential buildings undergoing major renovation with more than ten parking spaces, the installation of at least one recharging point and ducting infrastructure, namely conduits for electric cables, to enable the installation at a later stage of recharging points for electric vehicles, for at least one in every five parking spaces is required. The requirement applies if the car park is located inside or adjacent to the building, or, in case of major renovations, renovation measures include the car park or the electrical infrastructure of the car park.
- Regarding new residential buildings and residential buildings undergoing major renovation with more than ten parking spaces, the installation of ducting infrastructure, namely conduits for electric cables, for every parking space is required. The requirement applies if the car park is located inside or adjacent to the building, or, in case of major renovations, renovation measures include the car park or the electrical infrastructure of the car park.
- The Member States may choose to not apply these requirements under certain conditions specified in the Directive, for example, if the building permits were requested prior to 10 March 2021 or if the cost of installing exceeds 7% of total renovation costs.
The new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU) 2024/1275 entered into force on 28 May 2024 will replace the earlier Directive 2010/31/EU as of 30 May 2026. Furthermore, Member States are obliged to implement the legislative changes included in the new Directive in national legislation by 29 May 2026. The new requirements included in the new Directive (EU) 2024/1275 compared to the earlier Directive2010/31/EU are as follows:
- Regarding new non-residential buildings and non-residential buildings undergoing major renovation, the threshold of more than ten parking spaces is lowered to five parking spaces. Additionally, pre-cabling must be installed for at least 50 % of parking spaces and ducting, namely conduits for electric cables, for the remaining parking spaces,
- Regarding all non-residential buildings, i.e. including pre-existing buildings, with more than 20 parking spaces, Member States must, by 1 January 2027, ensure:
- the installation of at least one recharging point for every 10 parking spaces, or ducting, namely conduits for electric cables, for at least 50 % of the parking spaces to enable the installation at a later stage of recharging points for electric vehicles.
- For buildings owned or occupied by public bodies, Member States must ensure the installation of pre-cabling for at least 50 % of parking spaces by 1 January 2033.
- The implementation of the above requirements may be postponed in certain situations.
- Regarding new residential buildings and residential buildings undergoing major renovation, the threshold of more than ten parking spaces is lowered to three. Additionally, the installation of pre-cabling is required for 50 % of parking spaces and ducting for the remaining parking spaces.
- Member states may choose not to apply the above requirements in certain situations, e.g. if the cost of installing ducting infrastructure and charging points exceeds 10 % of total renovation costs.
- Charging point must be capable of smart recharging and, where appropriate, bi-directional recharging and they must be operated in an interoperable manner.
Directive 2010/31/EU
What is the Directive 2010/31/EU?
In Finland, the Directive 2010/31/EU (as amended) has mainly been implemented through the Finnish Act on Equipping Buildings with Electric Vehicle Charging Points, Charging Readiness, and Automation and Control Systems (733/2020).
Who do the regulations apply to?
The Act is applied to charging point facilities for electric vehicles.
The Act applies only to buildings that use energy to maintain the indoor climate (heating or cooling).
However, Sections 8, 9, 16, 17, and 21–23 of the Act also apply to parking garages intended for the parking of one or more residential buildings, even if no energy is used to maintain the indoor climate in those parking garages.
The Act does not apply to buildings used by the Defence Administration.
Regarding new buildings and buildings under major renovation, the Act applies only if the related building permit has become pending after 10 March 2021.
What are the requirements?
For new residential buildings with more than four parking spaces, the Act requires ducting to be installed so that a charging point can later be installed in each parking space.
For a new non-residential building with more than 10 parking spaces, one high-power charging point shall be installed or, alternatively:
- At least one normal-power charging point if there are 11–50 parking spaces.
- At least two normal-power charging points if there are 51–100 parking spaces.
- At least three normal-power charging points if there are more than 100 parking spaces.
In addition, a new non-residential building with 11–30 parking spaces shall be equipped with ducting for at least 50 % of the parking spaces. If the number of parking spaces is over 30, ducting shall be installed for at least 20 % of the parking spaces, but for at least 15 parking spaces. If a charging point is installed in a parking space, it satisfies the requirement for ducting for that space.
The same requirements apply for a building undergoing major renovation, if the parking spaces are in the building and the renovation works cover the building’s parking spaces or the building’s electrical system; or the building’s parking spaces are located on the property on which the building stands, and the renovation work covers the parking spaces or their electrical system.
There are no requirements for existing residential buildings regarding charging points.
For existing non-residential buildings, the Act requires to ensure that in a non-residential building with more than 20 parking spaces, at least one charging point is installed by 31 December 2024 at the latest.
As for new parking garages intended for the parking of one or more residential buildings, irrespective of whether the indoor climate of the garage is maintained by energy, it is required to ensure that the parking garage is designed and equipped with ducting for electric vehicles so that a charging point can later be installed in each parking space. The same requirement applies to the parking garages under major renovation. As for parking garages for non-residential use, the rules of non-residential buildings are applied but only if the indoor climate of the garage is maintained by energy.
The technical definitions of the Act, such as high and normal power, have been harmonised across the EU and are defined in the EU Regulation (EU) 2023/1804.
Micro enterprises with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet below €2 million are exempted from the requirements regarding non-residential buildings.
Who enforces the regulations?
Overall guidance, monitoring, and development of activities under the Act are the responsibility of the Ministry of the Environment.
The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom is responsible for supervising compliance of existing non-residential buildings with more than 20 parking spaces, which are required to install one charging point by the end of 2024.
The municipal building supervision authorities are responsible for supervising compliance with the legislation in connection with new buildings and buildings under major renovation.
Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation
What is the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation?
Regulation (EU) 2023/1804, also known as the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, establishes a comprehensive framework for EV charging infrastructure deployment across the EU. The regulation is directly applicable in all Member States. The regulation aims to:
- Establish mandatory minimum targets for the deployment of publicly accessible recharging infrastructure to create a more complete network across the EU.
- Ensure sufficient coverage along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) through distance-based requirements and national fleet-based targets that match infrastructure to electric vehicle uptake.
- Set common technical specifications to ensure interoperability between vehicles and charging infrastructure.
- Create user-friendly payment systems requiring ad hoc charging options and acceptance of common electronic payment methods.
- Improve price transparency and consumer experience through clear pricing information, data availability, and accessibility standards.
- Establish smart charging capabilities to enable electric vehicles to contribute to energy system flexibility and renewable electricity absorption.
- Create a structured reporting mechanism for Member States to track progress and ensure cooperation in infrastructure deployment.
Who do the regulations apply to?
The Regulation applies to multiple stakeholders across the alternative fuels’ ecosystem. Namely, Member States, who are responsible for ensuring deployment of sufficient recharging infrastructure based on national fleet targets, establishing and revising national policy frameworks, monitoring development of the recharging market, submitting progress reports to the Commission, etc.
Secondly, infrastructure operators such as recharging point operators, infrastructure owners, mobility service providers and electric vehicle users are within the scope of application of the Regulation. Additionally, electric vehicle manufacturers and distributors, distribution system operators and local authorities are affected.
What are the requirements?
Key provisions include:
Light-Duty Vehicles
- Member States must ensure deployment of sufficient publicly accessible recharging points based on national fleet-based targets:
- At least 1.3 kW total power output per registered battery electric vehicle. - At least 0.8 kW total power output per registered plug-in hybrid vehicle.
- Along TEN-T core road network:
- By 31 December 2025: Recharging pools with at least 400 kW power output, including at least one point with 150 kW output, maximum 60 km apart. - By 31 December 2027: Recharging pools with at least 600 kW power output, including at least two points with 150 kW output, maximum 60 km apart. - Along TEN-T comprehensive road network: - By 31 December 2027: At least 50% coverage with recharging pools of minimum 300 kW output - By 31 December 2030: Full network coverage with recharging pools of minimum 300 kW output - By 31 December 2035: Full network coverage with recharging pools of minimum 600 kW output
Heavy-Duty Vehicles
- By 31 December 2025: Along at least 15% of TEN-T road network, recharging pools with minimum 1,400 kW power output
- By 31 December 2027:
- Along at least 50% of TEN-T road network - Core roads: Pools with minimum 2,800 kW and at least two points with 350 kW output - Comprehensive roads: Pools with minimum 1,400 kW and at least one point with 350 kW output
- By 31 December 2030:
- TEN-T core roads: Maximum 60 km between pools, minimum 3,600 kW power output - TEN-T comprehensive roads: Maximum 100 km between pools, minimum 1,500 kW power output
- Safe and secure parking areas:
- By 31 December 2027: At least two recharging stations with minimum 100 kW output - By 31 December 2030: At least four recharging stations with minimum 100 kW output
Recharging Infrastructure
- Mandates ad hoc recharging availability and electronic payment methods
- Sets requirements for price transparency and display
- Requires all charging points to be digitally connected by 14 October 2024
- Mandates smart charging capability for new and renovated points
- Requires fixed charging cables for DC charging points by 14 April 2025
Who enforces the regulations?
Member States have primary responsibility for enforcement through their national authorities. Member States’ authorities regularly monitor the recharging infrastructure market and compliance of operators with requirements on reasonable, transparent and non-discriminatory pricing. They also monitor potentially unfair commercial practices affecting consumers amongst other things. In Finland the relevant authority is the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) based on the Finnish Act on the Distribution of Alternative Fuels for Transport (475/2024).
Additionally, the European Commission has a monitoring role.
