The European Parliament is considering a major initiative to reduce bureaucratic barriers related to the installation of high-power charging (HPC) infrastructure along the road network. Among the options on the table is the possibility of removing, in certain specific cases, the requirement for permits for installations of up to 1 MW when installed on existing structures.

The initiative aims to accelerate the development of electric mobility by reducing administrative delays that currently slow down the deployment of charging stations. The text will now be discussed and negotiated between the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of the European Union.

These measures are part of the so-called “EU Grid Package,” the European program designed to modernize energy grids and speed up the development of strategic infrastructure. Among the main changes proposed for the electricity and charging sector is the increase in thresholds that trigger the need for prior authorization. In particular, the limit would rise from 100 to 200 kW for small photovoltaic systems, storage systems, and charging stations.

However, the most significant change concerns HPC stations of up to 1 MW installed on artificial structures, which could be exempt from prior permits. The exact definition of “artificial structures” is still being clarified, but it could also include motorway service areas, which are essential for the ultra-fast charging network.

Faster grid connection procedures

Another key point of the proposal concerns electricity grid connection times, which would be significantly reduced.

For charging installations up to 1 MW, the maximum time to obtain authorization would be set at three months. For higher-capacity infrastructure, it would be six months. These timelines are much shorter compared to the European Commission’s initial proposals.

The Parliament also proposes a “silence is consent” mechanism: if the competent authority does not meet the deadlines, the authorization could be considered automatically approved. However, this solution faces resistance from the Council of the European Union, which represents national governments.

Among the other measures planned is the introduction of a single national digital portal designed to handle all authorization procedures centrally. The goal is to make the process more transparent, reduce differences between Member States, and speed up investments in charging infrastructure. At the same time, the aim is to establish a more harmonized European regulatory framework for energy network-related permits, in order to avoid fragmentation between countries.

Negotiations between European institutions are still in the early stages, and discussions between Parliament, Commission, and Council are expected to intensify in the coming months. It is therefore likely that some of the most ambitious measures may be revised or softened before final approval. However, if even part of the simplifications is confirmed, industry operators — including those active in Italy — could benefit from faster procedures to expand the HPC network. Actual implementation will then depend on how individual Member States transpose the new rules.

The appointment for industry operators is at E-Charge 2026, the trade fair dedicated to the EV charging industry and market, charging stations, technologies, infrastructure, and services, scheduled from 7 to 9 October 2026 at BolognaFiere.

It will take place as part of Urban Tech – The Urban Technology Show, the new event dedicated to e-mobility, traffic, commuting, security, telecom & data, and environment.