Features
7 Jun 22

Automakers call for more rigid EU infrastructure regulations

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has issued a press release welcoming the fact that EU member states appear to have adopted ACEA’s position on the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).

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The European Commission put forward its proposal for AFIR as part of its ‘Fit for 55’ climate package last year. The proposal set out mandatory targets for charging points and hydrogen refuelling stations in all 27 EU member states.

“A rapid ramp-up of charging and refuelling infrastructure is vital to decarbonise road transport,” stated Eric-Mark Huitema, ACEA’s Director General. “We need a swift adoption of this important Regulation to send the right signal to the markets.”

A 'general' approach is far from sufficient

As part of its ‘general approach’, the Council maintained the Commission’s infrastructure targets for both light- and heavy-duty vehicles. Unfortunately however, these ambition levels are far from sufficient to support a massive market uptake of zero-emissions vehicles.

Huitema continued: “The Council’s position on AFIR simply does not guarantee the minimum levels of infrastructure that will be needed for vehicle manufacturers to meet their CO2 targets.”

Policymakers must also be aware that setting phase-in targets for trucks will effectively determine the CO2 reductions that will be possible in this segment.

Too much flexibility

ACEA also regrets that the Council introduced several flexibilities. These exemptions are based on parameters such as transit volumes on the roads and ‘socio-economic cost-benefit’ analyses.

There is already a very uneven spread of infrastructure across the EU, with some 70% of all charging points centralised in four EU countries. “Allowing member states to apply different rules on infrastructure deployment would aggravate this patchy situation,” cautioned Mr Huitema. “This should be avoided at all costs, as it would disincentivise consumers from switching to alternative powertrains and hamper cross-border travel.”

ACEA now calls on member states, the European Parliament and the Commission to insert more ambition into AFIR in order to ensure that it is in line with the EU’s climate targets.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Authored by: Alison Pittaway