The EU Council has adopted a directive amending the requirements for measuring instruments sold and placed on the single market, setting common standards for electric chargers and gas dispensers.
The updated measuring instruments directive (MID) will facilitate the deployment of electric vehicle chargers, compressed gas dispensers, and thermal energy meters, viewed in the EU as essential for the green transition.
The revised rules also prioritise digitalisation and smart metering and support the use of emerging gases such as hydrogen to help decarbonise industrial processes.
Cyprus’ energy minister Michael Damianos, speaking for the EU presidency, said the new measuring instruments directive cleared the path for the widespread deployment of charging infrastructure: “This is a decisive move in Europe’s transition to a greener and more energy-efficient mobility system, driving us toward a cleaner future.”
The agreement expands the scope of the MID to cover all electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), including rail, boats, vessels, and aircraft. It introduces requirements for EVSE cables to be easily replaced if damaged or stolen, without compromising on the device’s performance.
When displaying measurement results, gas and electricity meters will show data directly on the meter or via remote display, while EVSE and compressed gas dispensers can present the information on the vehicle’s screen or on end-user devices, such as smartphones.
Following the Council’s approval, the legislative act has been adopted. The regulation will enter into force on the 20thday following its publication in the official journal. Member States will have 24 months to implement the new rules into their national legal framework. The new requirements will apply 30 months after the entry into force of the directive, except for EVSE chargers and compressed gas dispensers (the two new elements of the directive adopted today), which will enjoy a longer transitional period of 48 months.
