Auto industry welcomes adoption of plan to expand clean fuel infrastructure

With the right objectives and means, alternative fuels have the potential to play a key role in improving air quality and reducing CO2 emissions. The auto industry has put forward a number of solutions through its investments in cleaner technologies. These solutions will only trigger any benefit  provided there is closer cooperation between utility providers, infrastructure companies, the energy sector, standardisation bodies and the automotive industry to make these alternative fuels more accessible to Europe’s citizens . This will also require the full support of national governments and the European institutions. The EU strategy  to expand clean fuel infrastructure takes a step in the right direction in fostering such synergies.

Unfortunately, the strategy does not yet include binding targets for member states to reach.  Nor does it give strict guidelines as to the coverage of the network. Further, alternative fuels must meet the quality requirements demanded by the vehicle manufacturers so that our customers have access to high quality fuels compatible with future engines technology, and this is omitted from the strategy’s scope.

Speaking after the adoption of the Clean Fuels Strategy, ACEA Secretary General Erik Jonnaert said, “ACEA welcomes this proposal. The automotive industry needs this commitment to invest in the right infrastructure in order to accelerate the expansion of its new, clean and efficient alternative powertrain vehicles. Availability of the right infrastructure across all member states, providing access and choice to citizens to more alternative fuels, will help in building greater consumer confidence in alternative powertrains.”

Mr Jonnaert added, “We hope that in the coming months and years a clearer set of objectives will be outlined, ensuring that the clean vehicles we make have the infrastructure they need to meet customer demands across Europe.”