Fit for 55: Transport MEPs want car-recharging stations every 60 km.

The Transport and Tourism Committee adopted a draft negotiating mandate on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure by 36 votes to 2 and 6 abstentions on Monday evening. It aims to spur the deployment of recharging or alternative refuelling stations (such as electric or hydrogen) for cars, trucks, trains and planes and support the uptake of sustainable vehicles.

Mandatory recharging/refuelling stations targets

MEPs agreed to set minimum mandatory national targets for the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure and to ask EU countries to present their plan by 2024 on how to achieve it.

According to the adopted text, electric charging pools for cars would have to be deployed at least every 60 km along main EU roads by 2026. For trucks and buses, the same requirements would apply by 2026, but only on core TEN-T networks. MEPs also want charging stations for trucks in a safe and secure parking place to be deployed more quickly: two charging stations from 2028 instead of one from 2031 as proposed by the Commission. In all cases, some deployment exemptions would apply to outermost regions, islands and roads with very little traffic.

MEPs also suggest setting up more hydrogen refuelling stations along main EU roads compared to the Commission proposal (every 100 km as opposed to every 150 km) and to do it faster (by 2028 as opposed to by 2031).

Simple recharging

Users of alternative fuel vehicles should be able to pay easily, the price should be displayed per kWh or per kg, be affordable, comparable and accessible to all vehicle brands.  MEPs also want an EU access point for alternative fuels data to be set up by 2027 to provide information on the availability, waiting times and prices at different stations.

EP rapporteur on alternative fuels infrastructure Ismail Ertug (S&D, DE) said: “Sustainable alternative fuels and the deployment of their infrastructure play a key role in the transition to a successful decarbonisation of the transport sector. By expanding charging infrastructure more quickly, we are making the transition to climate-friendly mobility easier for people and the industry.”

Sustainable maritime fuels

Transport MEPs also voted through a draft negotiating mandate on sustainable maritime fuels rules (FuelEU Maritime) by 36 votes to 6 and 2 abstentions, the same evening. It aims to cut maritime sector greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships by 2% as of 2025, 20% as of 2035 and 80% as of 2050 (Commission proposed a 13% and 75% reduction).

This would apply for ships above a gross tonnage of 5000, in principle responsible for 90% of CO2 emissions, to all energy used on board in or between EU ports, and to 50% of energy used on voyages where the departure or arrival port is outside of the EU.

MEPs also set a target of 2% of renewable fuels usage and mandated containerships and passenger ships to use on-shore power supply while at berth at main EU ports as of 2030. This would significantly reduce air pollution in ports.

In order to secure compliance, the committee favours the introduction of penalties. Revenues generated from these should go to the Ocean Fund and contribute to decarbonising the maritime sector, energy efficiency and zero-emission propulsion technologies.

EP rapporteur on sustainable maritime fuels Jörgen Warborn (EPP, SE) stressed: “With today’s vote, we lay out by far the most ambitious pathway to maritime decarbonisation in the world. This agreement strikes the balance between ensuring that our climate targets are met efficiently, while safeguarding the maritime sector’s competitiveness and shielding industries and families from rising prices.”

Next steps

Once Parliament as a whole has approved this draft negotiating position at the October II plenary session, MEPs will be ready to start talks with EU governments on the final shape of the legislation.