Strasbourg, 15/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - The EU now has a strategy for encouraging the use of alternative forms of fuel, such as gas, hydrogen and electricity, that is backed by the European Parliament. On Tuesday 15 April, MEPs backed the agreement reached by the Council of Ministers and European Parliament when they adopted a report by Carlo Fidanza (EPP, Italy) by a thumping majority of 622 to 29, and 20 abstentions.
The strategy requires member states to submit to the Commission their plans for the deployment of refuelling points for alternative fuels in order to ensure the network covers every corner of the EU. Electricity and natural gas charging points must be introduced in cities by 2020 and cars and lorries must be provided with refuelling stations for hydrogen, liquefied natural gas (LNG) or compressed natural gas by 2025 along all the trans-European transport networks. Liquefied natural gas refuelling stations must also be provided for shipping in TEN-T ports by 2025 and for inland waterway transport by 2030.
The new rules include common standards for clean fuel, including use of the Type 2 plug for electrical charging points (but other types of plug already in use, like in France, may continue to be utilised). Consumers will be able to compare prices for the different clean and conventional fuels based on a methodology to be developed by the Commission. Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas initially suggested specific targets (an idea that has been rejected). He commented: “This vote sends a clear signal that Europe is putting clean fuels at the heart of its transport policy, and the drive to develop a transport system fit for the 21st century”. (MD)