DEFA CEO: “Standards could become the bottleneck that slows down eMobility”

eMobility is often highlighted as a natural part of the green transition. However, without common standards, electrification risks losing momentum.
“Without incentives, also in the area of home charging, standardization risks becoming too slow, fragmented, and underfunded. Unfortunately, this is the direction we appear to be heading,” says Martin Jonsson, CEO of DEFA Group.

Across Europe, most EV charging takes place at home and at workplaces rather than through public infrastructure (IEA, Global EV Outlook 2024; European Commission AFIR impact assessment).

“It is essential that charging systems work together and follow common standards, also beyond fast charging. This is particularly important since most EVs in Europe are charged using AC charging, meaning slower charging via standard alternating current, for example at home or at work,” says Jonsson, and continues:

“To reduce fragmentation, certain standards must become mandatory requirements rather than voluntary recommendations. For example, OCPP 2.0.1, or later versions, should be a minimum requirement for communication between chargers and backend systems. Combined with MID-certified metering, this creates a system that is fair, competitive, and user-friendly.”

Benefits everyone, but no one wants to go first

Standards require time, investment, and resources from those who move first. The result is a wait-and-see situation. Market players hold back, processes slow down, and technological development moves faster than regulation. When standards lag behind, investments, expansion, and innovation are held back.

“AFIR sets requirements for usability and interoperability, which in practice points toward standards such as ISO 15118. We welcome this, but progress is still too slow,” says Jonsson, adding:

“DEFA is ready to meet future requirements, which we expect to become both more numerous and more demanding. When developing the DEFA Power charging station, our engineers already had tomorrow’s standards in mind.”

When everyone optimizes individually, the system slows down

Without clear drivers, parallel solutions emerge, including different charging systems, platforms, and business models. For consumers, this creates uncertainty. For the market, it leads to inefficiency. For the transition, it reduces momentum.

“The solution is shared responsibility”

Contributing to open, common standards is rarely a quick business win. The benefits are shared by many and realized over time. As a result, investments are often too small, too few, and too late, unless development is guided in the right direction.

This is where incentives play a key role. Financial mechanisms, public procurement requirements, and clear rules for interoperability can change the landscape. They reduce risk for early movers and turn compliance with standards into a competitive advantage rather than a burden.

Martin Jonsson:

“One example is the EU’s USB-C requirement, which demonstrates what standardization can achieve: lower costs, less waste, and a simpler everyday experience. The same logic should apply to charging infrastructure.”

“I know that many of us in the industry recognize that standards could become the bottleneck that slows down eMobility. The solution is shared responsibility, but the public sector must take the lead. Governments and the EU need to set the direction through clear requirements for interoperability and compliance with standards, while linking incentives to those who follow them. Public procurement, investment support, and permitting processes should reward open standards and collaboration. Once the rules are clear, the private sector can do what it does best: invest, scale, and innovate. Standardization should not rely on voluntariness and goodwill. It must be a rational business decision.”