25.4.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
L 110/9
That progress report should take into consideration, inter alia, progress in the deployment of zero- and low-emission vehicles, in particular in the light commercial vehicles segment, as well as the measures at Union, Member State and local level to facilitate Member States’ transition to zero- emission light-duty vehicles, developments in their price and energy efficiency, deployment of alternative fuels and progress in the roll-out of public and private recharging and refuelling infrastructure, to be set out in 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 (the ‘Regulation on alternative fuels infrastructure’) and in a recast of Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (19), the potential of innovative technologies to reach climate- neutral mobility, international competitiveness, investments in the automotive value chain, and up-skilling and re-skilling of workers and reconversion of activities, especially in SMEs.
The progress report should also build on the two-year progress reports that Member States are to submit under the Regulation on alternative fuels infrastructure.
The Commission should consult social partners in the preparation of the progress report, including on the results of the social dialogue.
Innovations in the automotive supply chain are continuing.
Innovative technologies such as the production of electro-fuels with air capture, if further developed, could offer prospects for affordable climateneutral mobility.
The Commission should therefore keep track of progress in the state of innovation in the sector as part of its progress report.
(17)
In order to protect the environment and the health of citizens in all Member States it is important to also decarbonise the existing fleet.
The market for second-hand vehicles creates the risk of shifting CO2 emissions, as well as air pollution, to less economically developed regions in the Union.
To speed up the reduction of emissions from the existing fleet and to accelerate the transition to zero-emission transport, it is of the utmost importance to encourage the conversion of internal combustion engine vehicles to battery or fuel-cell electric drive, including by assessing how to facilitate the deployment of such solutions in Member States.
(18)
As stated in the communication of the Commission of 18 May 2022 entitled ‘REPowerEU Plan’, in order to enhance energy savings and efficiencies in the transport sector and to accelerate the transition towards zero-emission vehicles, it is important to increase the share of zero-emission vehicles in public and corporate car fleets above a certain size.
To that end, the communication of the Commission of 18 October 2022 entitled ‘Commission work programme 2023’ includes an initiative for greening corporate fleets.
When proposing that initiative, the Commission should ensure a level playing field and avoid fragmentation of the internal market.
(19)
In order to promote the uptake of vehicles that consume less energy, the Commission should investigate the impacts of setting minimum energy efficiency thresholds for new zero-emission passenger cars and light commercial vehicles placed on the Union market.
(20)
The EU fleet-wide targets are to be complemented by the necessary roll-out of recharging and refuelling infrastructure to be set out in the Regulation on alternative fuels infrastructure and in a recast of Directive 2010/31/EU.
In that context, it is vital that investment in the necessary infrastructure deployment is continued and increased.
In parallel, it is of utmost importance to ensure a swift deployment of renewable energy, as provided for in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (20).
(21)
Manufacturers should be provided with sufficient flexibility in adapting their fleets over time in order to manage the transition towards zero-emission vehicles in a cost-efficient manner in a way which supports their competitiveness and prepares the ground for further innovations.
It is therefore appropriate to maintain the approach of decreasing target levels in five-year steps.
(19) Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 on the energy performance of buildings (OJ L 153, 18.6.2010, p. 13).
(20) Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 82).