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EU Parliament backs ambitious alternative fuels infrastructure plan
EU | Brussels

EU Parliament backs ambitious alternative fuels infrastructure plan

19 Oct 2022 · Environment

IRU welcomes today’s European Parliament vote for an ambitious and comprehensive alternative fuels infrastructure regulation that would help decarbonise commercial road transport.

In a full plenary session in Strasbourg today, the European Parliament has aimed high, voting for an ambitious alternative fuels infrastructure regulation (AFIR).

The vote confirms the need for a solid and robust policy framework that sends a strong signal of support to the road transport sector and its decarbonisation aims.

As advocated for by IRU, a higher standard of infrastructure will be crucial to make sure that adequate facilities are put in place to keep alternatively fuelled trucks, buses, coaches and taxis moving across Europe.

Raluca Marian, IRU’s Director of EU Advocacy, said, “We welcome the Parliament’s AFIR vote. They understand that Europe needs bolder laws and policies to build an alternative fuels infrastructure network that will work and enable commercial road transport to decarbonise.”

“Today’s vote allows for negotiations to begin with the European Council and Commission. The Parliament’s view counterbalances the Council’s position, adopted earlier this year, which was disappointing in terms of Member State commitment to support the road transport sector. We now hope that Member States and the Commission opt for a bolder and more robust approach,” she added.

Two weeks ago, IRU welcomed the European Parliament’s Transport Committee (TRAN) vote in favour of increasing power output requirements, as well as anticipating the deadlines to establish electric recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure on the core and comprehensive networks of the TEN-T.

The European Parliament plenary has followed the TRAN Committee line and endorsed Ismail Ertug’s (S&D, DE) report. The text adopted by the plenary reflects calls made by IRU in recent months on the need for a bolder approach to build charging and alternative refuelling infrastructure for commercial road transport services.

“As zero-emission vehicles are starting to hit the heavy-duty market, it is imperative to roll out an alternative fuels infrastructure across the EU. Without an extensive network of alternative fuels infrastructure, the uptake of zero-emission vehicles cannot happen. Decarbonisation of road transport requires substantial investment from businesses and states alike. We call on Member States to do their part and support an ambitious AFIR, as embraced by the European Parliament,” concluded Raluca Marian.