Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Union has announced nearly €422 million to 39 projects to deploy alternative fuels supply infrastructure along the trans-European transport network aimed at decarbonisation.
According to the statement, these projects have been approved under the first cut-off deadline of the 2024-2025 Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). It is a European Union funding programme backing European transport infrastructure.
The AFIF will fund around 2,500 electric recharging points for light-duty cars and 2,400 for heavy-duty vehicles across the European TEN-T road grid. Moreover, it also includes 35 hydrogen refuelling depots for automobiles, buses and trucks, the electrification of ground operating services in 8 airports, and the greening of 9 ports in addition to amphetamine and methanol bunkering facilities.
What role does the EU play in alternative fuel deployment?
Serious action is currently being taken through the European Union for better alternative fuel supply along the Trans-European Transport Network-TEN-T lines as a direct way to make their contribution to a more decent transportation system without emission.
In addition, the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation establishes legally binding targets for the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure across Europe. It includes requirements for fast-charging stations every 60 km along core TEN-T routes by 2025, expanding to comprehensive TEN-T by 2030 for hydrogen refuelling stations. Specific capacity and distance targets are also outlined.
The goal is to cut transport emissions significantly, 90% by 2050, as targeted by the European Green Deal. That will happen if zero-emission vehicles become widely adopted with sufficient alternative fuel infrastructure.
