The Transport Ministers of the EU Member States discussed, on Thursday 9 December, the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure for vehicles in the EU (see EUROPE 12844/23). This dossier is one of the major components of the ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package (see EUROPE 12762/1).
As with ‘ReFuelEU Aviation’ (see other news), the ministers showed broad support for the text on alternative fuel infrastructure. However, there are still a number of issues to be discussed.
For example, several Member States have called for greater consideration to be given to the specificities of each country - in terms of population density or geographical constraints, for example - regarding the location of charging points for electric vehicles.
In this respect, the European Commission’s proposal is based on charging stations that are no more than 60 kilometres apart. The point of view of some states, such as Germany and Greece, is shared by a number of MEPs.
“The situation is different in each Member State, due to population density or geographical constraints. How can this be taken into account?”, the Swedish MEP, Johan Danielsson (S&D) had asked on 27 September (see EUROPE 12799/5).
Several Member States, such as Belgium, also insisted on the need for clarification on the opening hours of charging points or, like Austria, on the harmonisation of means of payment in the infrastructure.
Heavy commercial vehicles and market development
In addition, the issue of market development and size was also raised several times during the speeches.
“It will require very targeted actions by all actors, such as purchase incentives for vehicles that are compatible with our targets”, said the German Transport Minister.
“We will need financial incentives and to work on making prices reasonable”, the Lithuanian representative added.
The Member States’ ministers also focused part of their discussions on recharging infrastructure and alternative fuels for heavy commercial vehicles.
“We need to have enough infrastructure to allow for movement throughout the EU. We propose that the Member States should retain some flexibility in determining the location of these infrastructures”, said the Belgian Minister.
In addition to electrical energy, hydrogen was also discussed during the exchanges. Various Member States, including Denmark, appear to have taken a cautious approach to this issue.
“It remains to be seen how quickly hydrogen will become available on the market. Perhaps it is better to avoid setting binding targets until we know how this market will develop. We have to follow closely what is happening”, commented the Danish representative, adding that Copenhagen was interested “all alternative infrastructures”. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)