According to data collected and published on Friday 3 April by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), the number of charging points and refuelling stations needed for alternative and low-emission trucks will have to increase significantly over the next decade. Otherwise, the EU will not be able to meet its CO2 emission reduction targets (see EUROPE 12440/1), the association believes.
According to Henrik Henriksson, Chairman of ACEA’s Commercial Vehicles Board, there is an urgent need for the EU to “introduce binding commitments for the deployment of at least 37,000 recharging points, 50 hydrogen filling stations and 750 LNG stations suitable for heavy-duty vehicles by 2025”.
Heavy vehicles simply cannot use passenger car infrastructure because of their much higher power and energy demand and their specific needs for space, parking and access, ACEA recalls.
While acknowledging that the automotive industry is currently grappling with the management of the COVID-19 epidemic, Mr Henriksson nevertheless stresses the importance of keeping long-term climate goals in mind. “Neither the truck industry nor policy makers can afford to drop the ball on this right now”, he says.
According to figures published by ACEA, 97.9% of all medium and heavy-duty trucks sold in 2019 in Europe were diesel-powered, 0.1% petrol, 1.7% natural gas, 0.2% electric and 0.1% hybrid-powered.
In order to meet the climate targets set by the EU and to comply with the CO2 performance standards for heavy-duty vehicles (see EUROPE 12274/28), the association therefore also advocates a 28-fold increase in sales of electric trucks over the next 10 years. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)