EP vote ‘milestone’ in the roll out of clean fuels for transport
17 Apr 2014 03:35 PM
The European Parliament has given its final
approval to new EU rules to ensure the build-up of alternative refuelling
points across Europe with common standards for their design and use, including
a common plug for recharging electric vehicles.
Clean fuel is being held back by three main barriers:
the high cost of vehicles, a low level of consumer acceptance, and the lack of
recharging and refuelling stations. It is a vicious circle. With the new
Directive, Member States will have to provide a minimum infrastructure for
alternative fuels such as electricity, hydrogen and natural gas, as well as
common EU wide standards for equipment needed and user
information.
EC
Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for transport, said: "This is a
major innovation and a milestone in the roll-out of clean fuels in Europe.
These new rules are a direct response to calls from industry, investors,
consumers and national authorities for a clear framework to set the future
direction for clean fuels in Europe, to end uncertainty and allow investments
to follow. 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."
The
main measures agreed are:
-
Minimum levels of infrastructure across the
EU. A requirement on Member States to submit to the Commission
national plans for minimum levels of infrastructure – refuelling and
recharging stations - for alternative fuels such as electricity, hydrogen and
natural gas. The targets and objectives will be published by the Commission.
There is also a review mechanism in the Directive to allow the Commission to
assess if national targets are sufficient to deliver a critical mass of
infrastructure or if mandatory targets at EU level – as had been
originally proposed by the Commission - will be needed;
-
EU wide standards for the
infrastructure. Common EU wide standards are essential for the
development of these fuels. The agreement requires the use of common plugs
for electric vehicles and standardised refuelling equipment for hydrogen and
natural gas as well as the development of future standards for wireless
recharging points, battery swapping technology and standardised plugs for buses
and motorcycles. This will end the uncertainty that has been holding back
business and consumers.
-
Clear consumer information to facilitate use
- including on the recharging and refuelling stations
themselves, as well as comparison of prices for the different clean and
conventional fuels based on a methodology to be developed by the
Commission.
Next steps:
Following the vote of the European Parliament, the new
rules should be formally adopted by Council later this year.
Please see also:
EU
launches clean fuel strategy [IP/13/40]
Clean power for transport – Frequently asked questions
[MEMO/13/24]
Clean Power for Transport – Alternative fuels for
sustainable mobility in Europe
Follow Vice-President Kallas on Twitter
Contacts :
Helen
Kearns (+32 2 298 76 38)
Dale Kidd (+32
2 295 74 61)
For
the public: Europe Direct by
phone 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 or by email
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