Brussels, 16/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The cities are highlighting their point of view on the alternative fuels package proposed by the European Commission at the beginning of the year, in an attempt to ensure that the ongoing negotiations on the subject do not veer off course.
A statement made on 15 July by EUROCITIES, the network of Europe's main cities, welcomed the Commission's intention to take action to boost the alternative fuels market, such as electricity, hydrogen and gas. By reducing emissions from vehicles, the quality of life in urban areas should consequently be improved. First of all, Eurocities pointed out how new technologies could help to this end but also said that there could be no substitute for a change of mindset that promoted the use of more sustainable modes of transport such as walking, cycling, public transport and car pooling. The big cities are also warning against creating infrastructure without a market at the risk of losing public funding and causing a negative reaction from the public to alternative fuels.
On the other hand, EUROCITIES supports the Commission proposal to introduce special urban tolls for clean vehicles, insofar as this initiative is time-limited in order to prevent congestion. The cities also expressed their concern about quotas on the charging stations the Commission will be setting up from now until 2020. This rule is not easy to apply in an extremely dense urban environment and the organisation believes it would be better if these charging stations were based outside the cities.
In the context of technologies as such, EUROCITIES is calling for cities to be given the choice and for the directive to allow for greater flexibility to take into account specific local circumstances. This will also mean taking into account the fact that certain technologies are cleaner over long distances and are therefore not appropriate in cities. In urban areas, technologies are needed that are clean for both short and long distances. Finally, the organisation says that biogas is a cleaner option than natural gas, which emits methane.
In terms of funding appropriate clean fuels infrastructure, EUROCITIES takes on board the fact that the Commission intends to avoid using public funds by attracting private investment through European funds and the EIB. Nonetheless, EUROCITIES warns that, if this commercial model fails, public money will need to come to the rescue, adding financial pressure to states and cities. It also argues that creating areas for charging stations is a cost in itself. Since these areas could, for example, be used as car parks and generate revenue, there will consequently be a loss of income. Finally, the cities emphasise the fact that they should be involved in drawing up national frameworks for the development of a clean fuels market. (MD/transl.fl)