AFIR: ‘Infrastructure gap’ will limit CO2 reductions from road transport

Brussels, 28 March 2023 - The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) welcomes the fact that MEPs and national ministers struck an agreement last night on the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which governs the EU-wide deployment of charging and refuelling stations for all vehicle segments.

"Already today, a lack of charging and refuelling stations is severely hampering the market uptake of zero-emission vehicles," stated ACEA Director General, Sigrid de Vries. "AFIR therefore has a crucial role to play as we make the shift to carbon-neutral transport."

ACEA acknowledges that the co-legislators have adjusted their respective positions to come to an agreement on AFIR. The outcome, however, remains well below what would be necessary to match the ambition levels set for vehicle manufacturers in terms of CO2 targets. "A significant 'infrastructure gap' will continue to limit CO2 reductions and the transition of our sector to climate neutrality," cautioned de Vries.

A number of derogations for member states will also limit the coverage of the infrastructure network across the EU.

As regards heavy-duty vehicles, in order to meet the recently-proposed CO2 reduction levels (-45% by 2030), some 400,000 battery-electric and hydrogen-powered trucks (mainly long-haul) would have to be in operation on EU roads by the end of the decade. In addition, more than one third of all new trucks sold would have to be zero-emission (close to 100,000 trucks) every year from 2030. These vehicles would require more than 50,000 chargers suitable for heavy-duty vehicles, including some 35,000 megawatt chargers, as well as at least 700 hydrogen refuelling stations. With the state of charging and refuelling infrastructure today, even the current CO2 targets (-30% by 2030) are out of reach.

The AFIR agreement falls short of the required ambition level, both with respect to the necessary power outputs and deployment timelines. The short-term review for heavy-duty vehicles, now agreed by the co-legislators, will have to ensure that further adjustments will be made to address the specific requirements of trucks.

In addition to AFIR, member states must urgently ensure that planning and permitting processes are accelerated, power grids are upgraded and suitable areas are made available for truck-charging.

About ACEA

• The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) represents the 14 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group.
• Visit www.acea.auto for more information about ACEA, and follow us on www.twitter.com/ACEA_auto or www.linkedin.com/company/ACEA/.
• Contact: Cara McLaughlin, Communications Director, [email protected], +32 485 88 66 47.

About the EU automobile industry

• 13.0 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
• 11.5% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
• €374.6 billion in tax revenue for European governments
• €79.5 billion trade surplus for the European Union
• Almost 8% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
• €58.8 billion in R&D spending annually, 32% of EU total