ACEA publishes position on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive review

The European Commission has indicated on several occasions that it intends to review the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (AFID). The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), which represents 16 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers, considers the upcoming AFID review instrumental to reaching Europe’s long‐term decarbonisation objectives and achieving carbon neutrality in the transport sector.

Reaching any CO2 target beyond 2020 will greatly depend on the availability of infrastructure for alternatively‐powered vehicles. That is why ACEA has urged the European Commission to fast‐track the AFID review. To that end, ACEA has published a position paper which makes 10 key recommendations.

Recently, the commission also presented its detailed assessment of the National Policy Frameworks (NPFs) that focus on the implementation of the AFID (previously known as the Directive on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure, or DAFI) by EU member states. This assessment of the NPFs provides clear confirmation that investments in alternative fuels infrastructure are lagging behind, ACEA said.

The need for more intensive investment in infrastructure for alternatively‐powered vehicles was also one of the key points of discussion when the 2025 and 2030 CO2 targets for passenger cars, vans and heavy‐duty vehicles were set back in 2019. The technical non‐papers prepared by the commission around this time, included clear projections for the minimum number of public charging points and re‐fuelling stations needed to reach the agreed benchmark levels.

“However, with the much higher (overall) ambitions of the European Green Deal in mind, there is now an even greater urgency to upgrade the infrastructure requirements for all alternative fuels in AFID with a view to making a successful transition to low‐ and zero‐emission transport in Europe,” ACEA said in a statement.

ACEA members include BMW Group, CNH Industrial, DAF Trucks, Daimler, Ferrari, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Jaguar Land Rover, PSA Group, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars, and Volvo Group.