Call for consistency in defining alternative fuels that will drive the energy transition

A broad coalition comprising ACEA (the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association), Liquid Gas Europe, ePURE (the European renewable ethanol association), EBB (European Biodiesel Board) and UPEI (representing European independent fuel suppliers) has called for legal consistency in defining alternative fuels in the upcoming revision of the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive, expected later this year.

In a new joint declaration, the coalition calls on the European Commission (EC) to take a technology-neutral approach in its upcoming review of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive. ‘The EU’s long-term energy transition goals depend not just on developing new technologies but also on alternative-fuel solutions that already reduce harmful emissions. As the EU reframes important environment and energy legislation under the European Green Deal, it should not abandon clean, proven and cost-effective solutions such as sustainable renewable fuels and LPG,’ stated the coalition.

The group is urging the EC to maintain its current definition of alternative fuels in the upcoming review of the Directive, guaranteeing consistent policy-making and a stable investment environment.

The Directive is intended to build the market for alternative fuels, such as autogas (LPG as a transport fuel) and sustainable renewable fuels (such as ethanol, biodiesel and biogas), which have already reached a certain degree of maturity, and to jump-start a market for newcomers, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen.

Currently, alternative-fuelled vehicles represent a small but growing percentage of the EU fleet – accounting for just 7.3% of new car registrations and 3.8% of the vehicles in use in 2018, with the share for heavy-duty vehicles even lower. Meanwhile road transport greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to rise, and many countries are in breach of air quality standards. ‘That means the EU will need to do a better job of mobilising solutions that work today in addition to supporting the market development for new technologies and related infrastructure. Given the urgency of the climate and air quality crisis, the EU needs to take a practical approach. This includes promoting cleaner-burning fuels that are already commercially viable and competitively priced, that deliver immediate benefits, and that do not require drastic and costly changes to infrastructure or powertrain technologies,’ states the coalition.

‘To ensure that the market for all alternative fuels in Europe flourishes and to maximise their environmental contribution, we urge European decision makers to look both at short and medium-long term. Supply and demand-side measures should go hand-in-hand to allow for the sufficient development of refuelling infrastructure in line with consumer demand, and enhancing an environmental, economical and socially acceptable transition. Renouncing technology neutrality in the policies for alternative fuels would put at risk ongoing and future investments made by the automotive, energy production and fuel distribution sectors. For these reasons, the signatories to this declaration urge continued support for all alternative fuels in transport is fundamental, as it will more quickly put Europe on track for reaching its climate and air quality goals.’