Europe’s Automotive Transformation:
Driving Innovation with Confidence

At NMi, we work with battery manufacturers and integrators to:

• Test and certify new chemistries and form factors,
• Support compliance with EU Battery Regulation requirements,
• Ensure readiness for second-life use, repairability, and recyclability initiatives, and
• Provide validation to support faster go-to-market timelines.

Charging Infrastructure: Building the Backbone of Clean Mobility

The Action Plan places significant emphasis on accelerating public and depot-based charging infrastructure, including through the European Clean Transport Corridor initiative as well as targeted technical assistance to Member States for the implementation of the AFIR. This includes the implementation of high-power DC systems, bidirectional charging, and smart-grid interaction. However, it is acknowledged this will come with complex technical and regulatory challenges.

What this means for industry:

Future-ready charging systems must be tested not only for core electrical safety, but also for:

• Metrological accuracy in order to be used for billing purposes,
• Interoperability with a growing mix of vehicles and energy providers,
• Cybersecurity, especially under NIS2 and RED, and
• Readiness for V2G (vehicle-to-grid) applications, grid balancing, and energy storage.

NMi helps infrastructure providers and manufacturers:

• Certify smart and high voltage DC chargers,
• Validate bidirectional and dynamic charging capabilities,
• Align with emerging EU standards for safety and software updates

Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: Certainty in a Software-Defined World

With autonomous systems and software-defined vehicles becoming a competitive priority, the Action Plan lays out an urgent push to:

• Establish cross-border testbeds for autonomous driving,
• Develop EU-level frameworks for vehicle data access and safety validation,
• Launch the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance, focused on standardised software and AI systems.

What this means for industry:

The path to market for connected vehicles will require:

• Pre-deployment testing of ADAS and ADS systems,
• Harmonised type approval procedures for digital vehicle functions,
• Stronger compliance with cybersecurity and data governance regulations.

At NMi, we support OEMs in meeting evolving cybersecurity requirements through:

• Compliance assessments for the RED Directive
• Pre-compliance support for the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), including:
  – Targeted risk assessments
  – Guidance and documentation for certification readiness
• Certification to IEC 62443 standards for industrial cybersecurity
• Training tailored to RED and CRA requirements, helping your teams understand obligations and prepare effectively

Foundations for the Future

Europe’s automotive transformation is not just about setting new targets—it’s about building the foundations that allow innovation to scale with integrity. As technologies like EV batteries, automated driving systems, and bidirectional charging become more complex and interconnected, the need for trust, consistency, and technical assurance only grows stronger.

This is where independent, third-party certification moves from compliance to strategic value. It becomes a vital tool for:

• Accelerating innovation without compromising safety or approval timelines,
• Ensuring market access through consistent application of EU-wide technical standards,
• De-risking investment by validating that technologies are fit for purpose and future-ready,
• Strengthening trust across the value chain—from end users and fleet operators to regulators and investors.

At NMi, we don’t just check boxes—we partner with organisations to navigate complexity, anticipate regulatory change, and bring future-ready technologies to market with confidence.

As the EU Action Plan rolls out, we’re here to help you build not only compliant products—but durable, trusted foundations for what comes next.

Three Takeaways for Industry Leaders

1. Start certification early. Involving a certification partner like NMi during development helps avoid costly delays, enables more agile engineering, and smooths the path to compliance.
2. Stay ahead of regulation. EU rules around batteries, charging, vehicle data, and automation are evolving quickly. Understanding what’s coming allows you to build in the right requirements from day one.
3. Think beyond the test lab. Certification isn’t just a checkbox—it’s an opportunity to improve product quality, reduce risk, and align with Europe’s long-term industrial vision.

Let’s Move Forward Together

Whether you’re developing new EV infrastructure, bringing advanced batteries to market, integrating V2G capabilities, or preparing for Europe’s next wave of regulatory change—we’re here to help.

Want to explore how certification can support your goals? Let’s talk. Reach out to our automotive certification team to discuss how we can work together—from initial design to final conformity assessment.

Contact us at nmi@nmi.nl to start the conversation.