The European Council has adopted amendments to the Measuring Instruments Directive (MID), introducing updated requirements for measurement systems used in sectors including electric vehicle charging.
The revised directive expands the scope of the rules to cover all charging devices for electric vehicles, including those used for rail vehicles, maritime transport and aviation. According to the Council, “the revised rules also prioritise digitalisation and smart metering and support the use of emerging gases such as hydrogen to help decarbonise industrial processes.”
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One of the changes addresses the growing issue of cable theft and vandalism at public charging stations. The updated directive introduces requirements specifying that “It introduces requirements for EVSE cables to be easily replaced if damaged or stolen, without compromising on the device’s performance.” In recent months, operators of public fast-charging infrastructure have reported increasing incidents of vandalism and cable theft, leading to repair costs and operational disruptions.
Replacing damaged charging cables has often required additional testing procedures to verify the accuracy of integrated measurement systems. These processes can increase costs and delay the return of affected chargers to service. The new rules aim to simplify such procedures, although details on how the regulation will be implemented remain unclear.
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With the Council’s approval, the legal act has now been formally adopted. The directive will enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member states will then have 24 months to transpose the updated requirements into national legislation.
The amendment also clarifies how measurement results may be displayed on different types of equipment. While electricity and gas meters must present readings directly on the device itself, charging stations will be permitted to display information via alternative interfaces such as the vehicle’s onboard display or external devices including smartphones.
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“The new measuring instruments directive sets common standards for electric chargers and gas dispensers, clearing the path for the widespread deployment of charging infrastructure,” said Michael Damianos, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry of Cyprus. “This is a decisive move in Europe’s transition to a greener and more energy-efficient mobility system, driving us toward a cleaner future.”