As the European electric vehicle market continues to grow, EV charging technology is evolving beyond simply supplying electricity. In addition to charging speed and electrical safety, communication between electric vehicles and charging stations is becoming increasingly important.
According to EU Delegated Regulation 2025/656, from 1 January 2027, relevant newly installed or renovated private EV charging points will need to comply with specific technical communication standards. Different requirements apply to Mode 2, Mode 3 and Mode 4 charging equipment.
So, what do these changes mean for everyday EV owners in Europe?
1.What Will Change Under the 2027 EU EV Charging Regulations?
One of the key objectives of the updated regulation is to promote more standardised communication between electric vehicles and charging equipment.
The EN ISO 15118-20:2022 standard is particularly important for the development of intelligent EV charging. The relevant standards include:
- Mode 2: EN IEC 61851-1:2019
- Mode 3: EN ISO 15118-20:2022
- Mode 4: EN ISO 15118-20:2022
In simple terms, Mode 2 generally refers to portable EV chargers, Mode 3 covers dedicated AC charging stations such as home wallboxes, and Mode 4 mainly applies to DC charging equipment.
This means that future home EV chargers in Europe will need to pay greater attention not only to basic charging and safety requirements but also to communication standards and equipment compatibility.
2.What New Features Will ISO 15118-20 Bring?
The importance of this standard lies in its ability to support more advanced communication between electric vehicles and charging equipment. Three key developments are worth highlighting:
⚡Plug & Charge (Plug-and-play)
With Plug & Charge, compatible electric vehicles can automatically authenticate themselves when connected to compatible charging stations, reducing the need for RFID cards, QR codes or manual authentication.
⚡Smart Charging
Smart charging allows charging schedules and power levels to be adjusted according to household electricity consumption, energy prices and available power.
For example, drivers may schedule charging during cheaper overnight electricity periods or adjust charging power according to household energy demand.
⚡Bidirectional Charging
Through technologies such as V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) and V2H (Vehicle-to-Home), compatible electric vehicles can potentially send stored electricity back to the grid or a household.
It is important to understand that these features are not automatically available on every EV charger. They require compatible vehicles, charging equipment and supporting energy systems.
3.Do Existing Home EV Chargers Need to Be Replaced Before 2027?
This is one of the most common questions among EV owners.
The answer is no, existing home EV chargers do not automatically need to be replaced because of the 2027 regulation.
The relevant requirements under EU 2025/656 primarily concern private charging points newly installed or renovated from 1 January 2027. They do not mean that all previously installed home EV chargers must be replaced.
However, if you are planning to purchase or install a new EV charger after 2027, understanding the applicable technical standards will be increasingly important.
Another important point: supporting Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or app control does not automatically mean that an EV charger supports ISO 15118-20. These technologies serve different purposes, so always check the manufacturer's technical documentation.
4. What Should You Look for When Buying a New Home EV Charger?
If you are considering purchasing a 7kW or 11kW home EV charger, charging power should not be your only consideration.
Here are four important factors to check:
🔋Charging Standards: Check the charging mode and applicable technical standards for the equipment.
🔋Electrical Protection: Pay attention to residual-current protection, overcurrent protection and other relevant safety features.
🔋Smart Charging: Check whether the charger supports scheduled charging, adjustable current and dynamic load management.
🔋Future Compatibility: Ask whether the product has the necessary hardware and software capabilities to support future communication technologies.
For European households, electrical safety and practical compatibility should always take priority over simply having more smart features.
5. The Future of Home EV Charging in Europe
The 2027 EU regulation is more than just an update to technical standards. It also reflects the direction in which the European EV charging industry is moving.
In the future, a home EV charger may become more than a device that supplies electricity to a vehicle. It could become an important part of a household energy management system.
From smart charging and solar energy management to V2G and V2H, the relationship between electric vehicles and household energy systems will become increasingly connected.
For consumers, there is no need to rush into replacing existing equipment. However, when purchasing a new EV charger, understanding communication standards, electrical safety and future compatibility can help you make a more informed decision.
The future of EV charging is not just about charging faster. It's about charging smarter.
