The clean fuel infrastructure rules agreement between the Council and the Parliament was endorsed by the member states' permanent representatives, on 26 March. The directive is building up minimum infrastructure for alternative fuels across the EU.
Mr Michalis Chrisochoidis, the Greek Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks, said: " Today is an important day for the Greek Presidency, the European Union, and the future of sustainable transport. We have the approval of the proposal for the Directive on the Deployment of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure, a directive that aims to minimise oil dependence for the transport sector and mitigate its environmental impact, ensuring the build-up of alternative fuels infrastructure and the implementation of common technical specifications for this infrastructure in the Union.
It is a step that can bring better quality of life for our citizens and efficiency in transport. From this point forward we expect the necessary actions of the market forces to trigger major initiatives towards economic growth in Europe.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the European Institutions that worked together with the Greek Presidency and, of course, to the Lithuanian Presidency that built the basis of this success."
Boosting demand for vehicles running on alternative fuels
Creating a sufficient network of recharging and refuelling stations is considered crucial in order to drive consumer demand for vehicles powered by "clean fuel", such as electricity, hydrogen and natural gas, and to encourage manufacturers to develop such vehicles and to sell them at competitive prices.
Currently the use of clean fuel is being held back by the high cost of vehicles, low demand and the lack of infrastructure. In this vicious circle, refuelling stations are not being built because there are not enough vehicles. Vehicles are not sold at competitive prices because there is not enough demand. Consumers do not buy the vehicles because they are expensive and the stations are not there.
The new directive aims to break this vicious circle, thus reducing transport's dependence on oil and cutting back its greenhouse gas emissions. It also intends to promote economic growth and job creation in the EU, in particular in small and medium-sized enterprises.
According to Commission estimates, alternative fuels coming gradually onto the market are expected to produce savings on the EU oil bill amounting to about €2.3 billion per year in 2030, and another €1 billion per year from the dampening of price fluctuations through improved security of energy supply.
Coordinated national policy frameworks
Under the directive, each member state will adopt a national policy framework for the market development of alternative fuels infrastructure, outlining its national targets for putting in place new recharge and refuel points and relevant supporting actions. It must send its framework to the Commission within two years from the entry into force of the directive.
Coordinated by the Commission, the national policy frameworks of all member states will provide long-term security for private and public investment into vehicle and fuel technology and infrastructure roll-out.
Minimum infrastructure targets and deadlines
Member states must set targets for the following infrastructure:
(i) Electricity for cars: By the end of 2020, member states should install enough recharge points for electric cars to be able to circulate at least in cities and suburban areas. As an indication, the appropriate average number of recharge points should be equivalent to at least one recharge point per 10 cars, also taking into consideration the type of cars, charging technology and available private recharging points.
(ii) Electricity for ships: Shore-side electricity supply is to be installed as a priority in ports of the Trans-European Transport (TEN-T) Core Network, and in other maritime and inland ports, by the end of 2025, provided there is demand and the costs do not outweigh the benefits.
(iii) Hydrogen: If the member state decides to include hydrogen in its national policy framework, it must ensure that there are enough refuelling stations available to allow smooth circulation by 2025 within the networks determined by the member state.
(iv) Liquefied natural gas for ships: LNG-powered ships should be able to move between the TEN-T Core Network maritime ports by 2025 and between the TEN-T Core Network inland ports by 2030.
(v) Liquefied natural gas for trucks: The plans for LNG refuelling points installed at least along the existing TEN-T Core Network are to ensure that, by 2025, LNG heavy-duty motor vehicles can move throughout the EU, where there is demand, unless the costs are disproportionate to the benefits. The adequate distances for the refuelling stations will be defined taking into account the minimum range of LNG trucks. As an indication, the necessary average distance should be approximately 400 km.
(vi) Compressed natural gas: CNG motor vehicles should be able to circulate in agglomerations by 2020 and at least along the existing TEN-T Core Network by 2025. As an indication, the necessary average distance between refuelling points should be approximately 150 km.
Technical standards
Common technical standards are to be applied, making all new recharge and refuel points interoperable.
User information
Motor vehicle manuals, refuelling and recharging points, and motor vehicle dealerships, among other things, must provide clear information as to which motor vehicles can be fuelled with which fuels or recharged by which available recharge points.
Funding of the new measures
Private investment is expected to play a key role in the build-up of alternative fuels infrastructure. Support measures by member states are possible, in compliance with EU state aid rules. In addition, relevant actions are eligible for EU funding from the Connecting Europe Facility and Horizon 2020.
Next steps
To come into effect, the text still needs to be formally approved by the Parliament and the Council (agreement at first reading).
The directive will enter into force twenty days after its publication in the EU Official Journal. After that, member states will have two years to adopt national provisions to comply with the directive.
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