European Shippers’ Council applauds the determined actions taken by the European Parliament and the European Commission to establish a proper and pan-European network of sufficient charging and fueling stations via the proposed Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation.
Shippers throughout Europe are working hard towards reducing GHG emissions. In several countries, manufacturers are experimenting with the deployment of battery electric and hydrogen powered vehicles for freight transportation, for which the existence of an established charging infrastructure is a prerequisite.
From a shippers’ perspective, the establishment of an alternative fuel infrastructure network is a prerequisite for making the transition towards electrical and hydrogen powered vehicles a reality.
Planning and logistical optimization need to be at a sufficient level in order to deploy alternatively fueled vehicles on a large scale. For instance, most heavy-duty vehicles will use their own privately owned charging infrastructure to charge their vehicles. Notwithstanding, in certain Member States such as the Netherlands, over 25% of all charging activities will be done at public charging stations . Furthermore, half of the light commercial vehicles deployed by shippers are expected to use public charging/refueling stations.
ESC welcomes MEP Ismail ERTUG (S&D/DE)´s report on the EC´s proposal for a regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure. Logistical operations and planning are critical and subject to constant change and alternations. Real-time visibility of charging and refueling stations is, therefore, essential. Within this context, vehicle charging needs to be incorporated in a way that is efficient.
We support proposed amendment 240 to the EC´s proposal, that suggests an online planning and reservation system for the use of publicly accessible charging station. We, therefore, also call upon the European Parliament to vote favorably amendment 240.
On another note, proposed amendments 451, 452 and 456 to the EC proposal appear to be more restrictive as they elaborate further on publicly accessible infrastructure. This may limit the scope for shippers and SMEs to use and co-invest in such infrastructure. As such, we do not support amendments 451, 452, and 456.
Finally, the definition of publicly accessible charging points presented in the Commission’s original proposal provides opportunities for shippers to co-invest or push for public infrastructure around their own facilities, business parks, or hubs. We, therefore, also state our support to the European Commission’s original legislative proposal.