The Commission applauds the political agreement achieved by the European Parliament and the Council to increase the number of openly accessible electric charging and hydrogen refueling stations, particularly along the European Union's major transportation corridors and hubs. This is a historic agreement that will allow the transition to zero-emission transportation while also contributing to our goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

The new Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Deployment Regulation (AFIR) establishes mandatory deployment targets for electric recharging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure for the road sector, shore-side electricity supply in maritime and inland waterway ports, and electricity supply to stationary aircraft. The regulation will alleviate customer concerns about the difficulty of charging or refueling a vehicle by making a minimum of recharging and refueling infrastructure accessible across the EU. AFIR also prepares the way for a more user-friendly recharging and refueling experience across the EU, with full price transparency, common minimum payment options, and consistent customer information.

Infrastructure for road transport, shipping, and aviation 

The new AFIR regulations will guarantee adequate and user-friendly alternative fuel infrastructure for transportation by land, sea, and air. This will make it possible to use zero-emission cars on the road, particularly light- and heavy-duty electric and hydrogen vehicles, as well as give electricity to moored vessels and stationary aircraft.

In particular, in 2025 or 2030, the following major deployment goals must be achieved:

• Recharging infrastructure for cars and van
• Recharging stations dedicated to heavy-duty vehicles.
• Hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
• Maritime ports 
• Airports 
• Operators of electric recharging and hydrogen refueling stations

Next step

This week's political agreement needs to be officially enacted. The new regulations will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union after being approved by the European Parliament and Council, and they will take effect after a six-month transition time.

Reference: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_1867