29.9.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 349/135
1.6.
The EESC reaffirms its support for the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).
Public authorities must ensure alternative fuels and charging stations are available where needed (3).
To meet the 2030 intermediate target, over 50 000 publicly accessible chargers are required, of which 35 000 would need to be high-performance megawatt charging models.
Some 700 hydrogen refilling stations would also be required.
1.7.
Given the limitations of the Commission’s impact assessment, the EESC calls for a close and regular monitoring of developments in a progress report, including an in-depth assessment of the supply chain to avoid disruptions and to better reflect the impact of decarbonising transport at regional level.
1.8.
In line with its previous opinions (4), the EESC notes that despite all the benefits of electric and hydrogen powertrains, the proposed regulation based on the ‘tailpipe’ approach needs to be complemented by other policy instruments to incentivise the use of renewable, non-fossil fuels for the part of the fleet running on internal combustion engine (ICE).
The Fit for 55 package must ensure a life-cycle approach and avoid road transport decarbonisation leading to a shift of emissions upstream in the value chain.
1.9.
The EESC stresses the need for a policy framework that drives decarbonisation in a way that is fair for workers.
This includes the provision of adequate funding to support regions facing difficulties as a result of the decarbonisation agenda, the need to anticipate change at all levels (sites, companies, regions and sectors) through plans developed with the social partners, and a massive effort by public authorities and companies to retrain and up-skill workers.
1.10.
The EESC calls for a CO2 emission reduction trajectory, in line with the industrial sector’s capacity to transform and compatible with transport operators in terms of costs and operational efficiency.
The proposed targets must be compatible with the time needed to convert existing production facilities and build new ones, to roll out charging infrastructure, to secure supply of key components and raw materials, to create lead markets and to train the workforce.
1.11.
The EESC stresses the need to decarbonise (the fleet) at a pace that is consistent with the implementation of the EU Green Deal Industrial Plan, and with the important projects of common European interest (IPCEI), that will contribute to developing key supply chains for the sector in Europe, such as clean hydrogen, batteries and microelectronics.
1.12.
The EESC also stresses the need to provide capacity-building and to support hauliers and operators — especially SMEs — to comply with the reporting obligations implemented by the regulation.
2.
General background 2.1.
In October 2014, the EU heads of state/government (5) set a binding goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced across the EU’s entire economy by at least 40 % compared to 1990 levels by 2030.
This target was based on global projections that comply with the medium-term timescale of the Paris Agreement on climate change (COP 21) (6).
(3)
(4)
(5) (6)
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, and repealing Directive 2014/94/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council’ (COM(2021) 559 final — 2021/0223 (COD)) and on ‘Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — A strategic rollout plan to outline a set of supplementary actions to support the rapid deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure’ (COM(2021) 560 final) (OJ C 152, 6.4.2022, p. 138).
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles as part of the Union’s integrated approach to reduce CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles and amending Regulation (EC) No 715/2007’ (COM(2017) 676 final — 2017/0293 (COD)) (OJ C 227, 28.6.2018, p. 52), and Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2019/631 as regards strengthening the CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles in line with the Union’s increased climate ambition (COM(2021) 556 final — 2021/0197(COD)) (OJ C 194, 12.5.2022, p 81).
European Council conclusions of 24 October 2014.
https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement.