MEPs adopt rules for recharging stations for cars every 60 km

MEPs have approved, at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, new rules on more alternative fuel stations for cars and trucks, simple and easy recharging, and cleaner maritime fuels.

The new rules were adopted by 514 votes in favour, 52 votes against and 74 abstentions and, once the European Council approves them, they will apply from six months after their entry into force.

As a European Parliament press release notes, the new rules are part of the “Fit for 55 in 2030 package”, EU’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and aim to decarbonise transport.

The rules note that electric charging pools for cars with a minimum 400 kW output will have to be deployed at least every 60 km along core network routes by 2026, with the network’s power output increasing to 600 kW by 2028. For trucks and buses, charging stations have to be provided every 120 km.

These stations should be installed on half of the main EU roads by 2028 and with a 1400kW to 2800 kW power output depending on the road. EU countries have to ensure that hydrogen refuelling stations along the core TEN-T network will be deployed at least every 200 km by 2031.

Also, users of alternative fuel vehicles will have to be able to pay easily at recharging points (with payment cards or contactless devices and without a need to have a subscription), while the price of these “fuels” will have to be displayed per kWh, kg or per minute/session. MEPs ensured that the Commission will set up an EU “database” on alternative fuels data by 2027 to provide consumers with information on the availability, waiting times, or price at different stations.

Greener maritime fuels from 2025 and on

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MEPs also adopted today new rules on cleaner maritime fuels, with 555 votes in favour, 48 against and 25 abstentions. The sustainable maritime fuels rules will apply as of 1 January 2025 and ships will have to gradually reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by cutting the amount of GHG in the energy they use (below 2020 level) by 2% as of 2025 to 80% as of 2050.

This would apply to ships above a gross tonnage of 5000, which are in principle responsible for 90% of CO2 emissions, and to all energy used on board in or between EU ports, as well as to 50% of energy used on voyages where the departure or arrival port is outside of the EU or in EU outermost regions.

In order to significantly reduce air pollution in ports, containerships and passenger ships will be obliged to use on-shore power supply for all electricity needs while moored at the quayside in major EU ports as of 2030. Thanks to MEPs, the new rules also set a 2% renewable fuels usage target as of 2034 if the Commission reports that in 2031 renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO) amount to less than 1% of fuel mix.

(Source: CNA)