Cross-industry coalition urges robust targets for EV infrastructure

A cross-industry coalition is urging the European Parliament and Council to introduce new targets to boost electric vehicle infrastructure.

The automotive, energy generation, electricity and charging infrastructure industries have asked for interconnected policies to accelerate the transition to zero-emission and CO2-neutral mobility.

The coalition launched their common appeal to policy makers at a roundtable discussion in Brussels and called for urgent increased investment in charging and refuelling infrastructure for alternatively-powered cars, vans, trucks and buses.

It said the EU will therefore need to adopt higher targets for both public and private infrastructure than those foreseen in the European Commission’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) and Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) proposals.

The coalition has also called for co-funding and mandatory targets to make charging and hydrogen refuelling situations commercially viable during the ramp-up phase of electric vehicles.

This is crucial to ensure that a minimum infrastructure network becomes rapidly available across the EU, say the co-signatories.

It says public sector intervention is needed now for a limited period, especially in areas where the roll-out is slower.

The document submitted to the EU also calls for incentives to encourage the use of zero-emission energy in the transport sector.

The industries were represented by their associations: the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA), Eurelectric (the wider electricity industry), WindEurope (the energy generation sector) and ChargeUp Europe (the electric vehicle charging infrastructure industry).