The member states' permanent representatives today endorsed the compromise reached between the Council and the European Parliament concerning a directive on building up minimum infrastructure for alternative fuels across the EU. 

 

Creating a sufficient network of recharging and refuelling stations is considered crucial in order to drive consumer demand for vehicles powered by "clean fuel", such as electricity, hydrogen and natural gas, and to encourage manufacturers to develop such vehicles and to sell them at competitive prices.

 

The new directive aims to reduce transport's dependence on oil and to cut back its greenhouse gas emissions. It also intends to promote economic growth and job creation in the EU, in particular in small and medium-sized enterprises. 

 

According to Commission estimates, alternative fuels coming gradually onto the market are expected to produce savings on the EU oil bill amounting to about €2.3 billion per year in 2030, and another €1 billion per year from the dampening of price fluctuations through improved security of energy supply. 

 

Under the directive, each member state will adopt a national policy framework for the market development of alternative fuels infrastructure, outlining its national targets for putting in place new recharge and refuel points and relevant supporting actions. Coordinated by the Commission, the national policy frameworks of all member states will provide long-term security for private and public investment into vehicle and fuel technology and infrastructure roll-out. 

 

Greek minister of Infrastructure, Transport & Networks Michalis Chrisochoidis made the following statement: "Today is an important day for the Greek Presidency, the European Union, and the future of sustainable transport. We have the approval of the proposal for the Directive on the Deployment of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure, a directive that aims to minimise oil dependence for the transport sector and mitigate the environmental impact, ensuring the build-up of alternative fuel infrastructure and the implementation of common technical specifications for this infrastructure in the Union. It is a step that can bring better quality of life for our citizens and efficiency in transport. From this point forward we expect the necessary actions of the market forces that can trigger major initiatives towards economic growth in Europe. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the European Institutions that worked together with the Greek Presidency and of course, to Lithuanian Presidency that put the basis of this success."

 

To come into effect, the text still needs to be formally approved by the Parliament and the Council (agreement at first reading). The directive will enter into force twenty days after its publication in the EU Official Journal. After that, member states will have two years to adopt national provisions to comply with the directive.  

 

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