AFIR 2027 and ISO 15118: What Businesses and Installers Need to Know About EV Charging

What New Wallbox Pulsar Max Brings

From 1 January 2027, every newly installed or renovated EV charger in the EU has to meet new communication standards. Here is what AFIR and ISO 15118 mean in practice, and how to choose the right connectivity for each installation.

AFIR explained: what businesses need to know

The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) is a binding EU regulation, so it applies directly in all 27 member states without needing national transposition. Its goal is simple: make charging consistent, interoperable and ready for smart energy use, wherever a driver plugs in.

For businesses, the key rule is this: from 1 January 2027, all newly installed or renovated AC and DC charging points must support ISO 15118. That affects anyone planning charging for a condominium, workplace, retail site, hotel, car park or fleet depot.

Do I need to replace my existing chargers?

No. Chargers installed before the AFIR deadline do not need to be replaced. The rule applies to chargers that will be installed after 1 January 2027, and to existing ones that are renovated.

Why is a PLC module required for ISO 15118?

At the hardware level, implementing ISO 15118 requires an integrated Powerline Communication (PLC) module. This component enables high-frequency communication between the charger and the electric vehicle over the charging cable.

• It is a renovation if you replace the main controller board to enable new standards (a “brain swap”), or add hardware such as a credit card terminal or an interactive screen.
• It is not a renovation if you carry out routine repairs, such as replacing a broken cable, a connector, a cracked cover or a screen, or if you push a standard over-the-air (OTA) software update.

What should businesses do now?

• When specifying chargers for projects that will be installed in 2027 or later, ask whether they support ISO 15118.
• Check that the hardware already includes the communication module, so you are not facing a retrofit later.
• Plan your site network (Wi-Fi or wired) and your user authentication method early, as both shape the right charger choice.

What ISO 15118 means for the future of EV charging

AFIR opens the door to several capabilities:

• Smarter power negotiation. The vehicle and the charger agree on how much power to deliver and when, which supports dynamic grid control and better use of local energy.
• Secure communication. Credentials and session data are exchanged through a standardised, secured channel.
• Plug & Charge. The car can authenticate itself automatically using digital contract certificates, so there is no RFID card or app to handle.
• Bidirectional charging (V2G/V2X). The standard supports sending energy back from the car to the home or the grid.

For installers: why connectivity matters in home and shared EV charging

As an EV charger installer, connectivity is what turns a charger from a power outlet into a managed asset. It determines how easily you commission a site, whether chargers can share the available power, and how well the installation will cope with 2027 requirements and beyond. The right option depends on the type of installation.

Installation type	Connectivity to plan for	Why it matters
Single-family home with good Wi-Fi coverage	Wi-Fi and Bluetooth	Quick setup and app control with no extra cabling
Home with weak signal (garage, basement, detached carport)	Ethernet	A wired connection stays stable where Wi-Fi does not reach
Home with solar panels or limited grid capacity	Wi-Fi or Ethernet plus a compatible energy meter	Enables dynamic load management and solar-optimised charging
Condominium or shared garage	Ethernet network plus RFID	Chargers can be linked on a single wired network, and RFID simplifies access and user management for multiple tenants
Business site, workplace or small fleet	Ethernet, with OCPP for backend integration	Reliable group management and the option to connect to a management platform

Ready for 2027 with Pulsar Max

Wallbox has the right charger for this new regulatory landscape: the new Pulsar Max, the next generation of the Pulsar family. Where earlier chargers would need a hardware change to meet the new requirements, Pulsar Max includes the Powerline Communication (PLC) module as standard, so the hardware is ready for ISO 15118 and for the AFIR deadline today, with compatibility delivered through software and ongoing interoperability work with different electric vehicles. What makes it new goes beyond compliance.

Built-in RFID and Ethernet come as standard, so installers can link chargers on a single wired network and manage access in condominiums without extra components. It is available as a 7.4 kW or 22 kW tethered version with a 5 m Type 2 cable, or as a 22 kW version with a shuttered socket, so there is a configuration for each home, condominium or business project. It also brings static and dynamic load management for groups of up to 100 chargers, solar charging, OCPP, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, internal metering with an error of 2% or less, and an IP55-rated enclosure with a scratch-resistant matt finish for indoor and outdoor use. One charger, ready for 2027, and simpler to specify, install and manage.

Whether you are specifying chargers for a new building or advising a customer on their next installation, now is the right time to make sure the hardware you choose is ready for 2027.

Wallbox Portfolio & Legacy Models

To ensure compliance with AFIR 2027, the product portfolio has been updated with hardware-ready solutions, while legacy models without integrated PLC modules will be phased out for new compliant installations:

• New Pulsar Max & Pulsar Pro: Built-in PLC modules for AFIR and ISO 15118 compliance across home, residential, and commercial use.
• eM4 & Supernova Series: Integrated PLC hardware supporting ISO 15118 standards for AC and DC fast charging.

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