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Mobility and Transport
News article22 September 2016Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport

Vice-President Kallas welcomes deal on alternative fuels infrastructure for transport

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Vice-President Kallas welcomes deal on alternative fuels infrastructure for transport

European Transport Commissioner, Vice President Siim Kallas welcomed the agreement reached today on a far reaching package of measures to ensure the build-up of alternative fuel stations across Europe with common standards for their design and use.

European Commission Vice President Siim Kallas responsible for Transport said: "This agreement maps out a clear future for clean transport across Europe. It is a major innovation and a milestone towards meeting our commitment to reduce European transport's overdependence on oil and developing a transport system fit for the 21st century."

The Clean Power for Transport Package consists of a Communication on a European alternative fuels strategy, a Directive focusing on infrastructure and standards and an accompanying document describing an action plan for the development of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in shipping.

The main measures agreed are:

  • Minimum levels of infrastructure across the EU. A requirement on Member States to submit to the Commission national plans for minimum levels of infrastructure to be in place by 2020 for electric vehicles and for CNG in urban agglomeration, Hydrogen and LNG in maritime ports and for heavy duty vehicles is postponed to 2025 (all dates available in table below). The targets will be published by the Commission. There is a review clause in the Directive to allow the Commission to assess if national targets are sufficient to deliver a critical mass of infrastructure or if mandatory targets agreed at EU level – as had been originally proposed by the Commission - will be needed.
  • EU wide standards for the infrastructure. The agreement requires the development of EU wide standards for clean fuels. This will end the uncertainty that has been holding back business and consumers. It means standardised plugs for electric vehicles and standardised refuelling equipment – refuelling and recharging equipment - for hydrogen and natural gas as well as future standards for wireless recharging points, battery swapping technology and standardised plugs for buses and motorcycles.
  • Clear consumer information to facilitate use - including on the charging and refuelling points themselves, as well as comparison of prices for the different alternative and conventional fuels based on a methodology developed by the Commission.

The agreement was reached in "trilogue" negotiations between the European Parliament, Commission and representatives of Member States. It must be formally approved by the plenary of the European Parliament and Member States in Council.

ALTERNATIVE FUELS DATE
Electric vehicle recharging points 2020
CNG
Urban agglomerations 2020
TEN-T Core 2025
Hydrogen refuelling points 2025
LNG
Heavy duty vehicles 2025
Maritime ports 2025
Inland Waterways 2030
Shore-side electricity 2025

Please see also:

EU launches clean fuel strategy [IP/13/40]

Clean power for transport – Frequently asked questions [MEMO/13/24]

Clean Power for Transport – Alternative fuels for sustainable mobility in Europe

Details

Publication date
22 September 2016
Author
Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport