How does the EU want to increase the use of sustainable fuels?
Amid the rise of fuel prices and in line with the EU’s climate goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, the EU is taking action to encourage the uptake of alternative fuels.
Read more about EU measures to reduce CO2 emissions
Increasing the number of charging and refuelling stations
In order to promote the use of alternative fuels, Parliament adopted its position on the rules concerning the necessary infrastructure to make it more accessible across Europe in October 2022.
MEPs want more recharging stations on main EU roads with greater capacity. They propose that there should be electric charging areas for cars at least once every 60 kilometres along main EU roads by 2026. For trucks and busses, there should be charging areas once every 60 kilometres by 2026 on core Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T).
MEPs also suggest setting up hydrogen refuelling stations along main EU roads every 100 kilometres by 2028. In 2021, there were just 136 hydrogen refuelling points in the EU.
The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive also includes provisions for the maritime and aviation sectors. Find out how they will contribute to cut emissions from planes and ships.
Promoting the sales of clean vehicles
The EU recovery plan from the Covid-19 pandemic – NextGenerationEU – includes €20 billion that can be used for boosting the sales of clean vehicles.
The EU is also setting tougher CO2 emissions limits for new cars that will encourage the use of sustainable fuels. In 2035, new cars will have to be emissions free.