In some ways, Europe has been charging ahead with the roll-out of EV infrastructure. Take public charge points, for instance. There’s now over one million installed – an impressive milestone. But behind the positive headline, business fleets and charge point operators are hitting real-world barriers that slow installation and undermine confidence.
At the grid level, opaque and slow grid connection processes, limited capacity, fragmented system planning and inconsistent permitting processes are major obstacles. For heavier vehicles – which need high-power charging at depots or along major freight corridors – these hurdles are even higher.
If the EU wants its EV transition to remain competitive with markets that are picking up speed around the world, it must prioritise modernising grids just as urgently as it once built roads, airports and rail infrastructure.
The chance to do so is around the corner.
Alongside key transport files on the revision of the 2035 CO₂ standards for cars and vans and new zero-emissions targets for corporate fleets, the European Commission is about to publish its long-promised Grids Package. It could prove pivotal.
Ahead of a few critical weeks in Brussels – watch out for more from us on this – we’re today publishing a new policy paper that highlights what needs to be included in the Grids Package to deliver on Europe’s EV transition.
Download the policy paper ,So why do grids matter for EVs?
EVs are arriving at scale just as electricity demand is set to surge by around 60% by 2030, driven not only by EVs but also heat pumps, industry and data centres. That means Europe needs grids that can reliably move a lot more power and triage multiple connection requests – without piling burdensome costs onto consumers.
Yet EVs aren’t just a source of new demand; they’re also a powerful tool for managing the grid. With smart charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities, EVs can shift consumption to off-peak hours and integrate renewable energy by harnessing excess power behind constraints, reducing system costs. In one modelled region in Europe, these capabilities were shown to cut grid reinforcement costs by 25%.
Policy is lagging behind
Several recent EU laws already point in the right direction. The Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII), the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), the Electricity Market Design Directive (EMD) and the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) push Member States to expand public and private charging networks, digitalise grid connection processes and support smart and bidirectional charging.
The problem is pace and scale. Too many of these measures have been slow to take effect or unevenly implemented across the EU. They also focus largely on technical reforms to local distribution networks – the point where charging sites are directly connected to the grid.
More is needed at a deeper system level – on network planning and governance, grid capacity and transparency, financing and investment – to deliver the scale and speed of network development needed to make EV charging installation and usage seamless and cost-effective for all.
What the Grids Package must deliver to support the EV transition
Originally announced under the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal, the Grids Package aims to accelerate the expansion, upgrade and digitalisation of Europe’s electricity networks. This is needed to integrate new renewable generation and storage, but supporting electrified demand is also a key element.
To succeed, the Grids Package cannot ignore the demands and opportunities of road transport electrification.
Drawing on insights from EV100 companies, Climate Group’s new policy paper highlights five priorities:
- Integrate EV demand into network planning – Ensure EV charging needs, depot loads and smart charging potential are systematically embedded in grid development plans.
- Cut grid connection delays – Prioritise projects by climate and system need, improve grid operator transparency and digitalisation, and enable flexible connection agreements.
- Accelerate permitting – Set deadlines and introduce one-stop-shops for permitting grid and charging projects.
- Scale smart charging and V2G – Introduce more cost-reflective network tariffs and enable flexibility market access for EVs.
- Support medium- and heavy-duty (MHDV) depot electrification – Enable depots to access renewable electricity crediting, financing tools and shared charging models.
A faster, cheaper clean transport transition
If the Commission gets this right, the Grids Package will not just accelerate EV rollout – it will make Europe’s energy system stronger and more affordable.
This is an important opportunity to align climate ambition, energy security and competitiveness. By building EV-ready grids, Europe can power a cleaner transport system – and a more resilient, prosperous future.
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