TRAN DRAFT REPORT ON AFIR
On 14 February, the TRAN Committee published the draft report of MEP Ismail Ertug (S&D, Germany), Rapporteur on the Commission proposal for a Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, the so-called AFIR. Mr Ertug tabled 131 amendments, which will drive the negotiations among MEPs within the Committee.
The Rapporteur welcomes the choice of the legislative instrument by the Commission, from a Directive to a Regulation, as legally binding and harmonised requirements would give the Union the best possible capability to support the required uptake of alternative fuel vehicles, in all Member States and across all transport modes. Concerning heavy-duty vehicles, Mr Ertug proposes to significantly strengthen the targets, with the increase of the minimum power output of chargers, and a faster rolling out of the charging infrastructure on the comprehensive TEN-T network.
The Rapporteur also proposes to increase the deployment of distance-based hydrogen refuelling stations for HDVs along the TEN-T network. The requirements for LNG infrastructure for road transport vehicles has been deleted, as the Rapporteur believes that LNG has no significant potential to reduce GHG emissions from HDVs, with risks of lock-in effects and stranded assets.
Finally, Mr Ertug tabled some amendments to strengthen the deployment targets for onshore power supply: the tonnage limit has been reduced significantly and the deployment date has been advanced from 2030 to 2025.