European transport ministers adopt common approach on alternative fuel policies

In Belgium, last week European transport ministers adopted a common position on each of the three legislative proposals of the fit for 55 package that relate to the transport sector alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR), FuelEU Maritime and ReFuelEU Aviation).

This is an important step in the implementation of the fit for 55 legislative package, which should enable the EU to meet its climate objectives: reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. For the transport sector in particular, the objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% (the sector currently accounts for more than a quarter of EU emissions).

The Council adopted a general approach on the draft regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR).

The main objective of the proposed regulation is to ensure that the public has access to a sufficient infrastructure network for recharging or refuelling road vehicles or ships with alternative fuels.

It also aims to provide alternative solutions so that ships moored at the quayside and stationary aircraft do not need to keep their engines running.

Lastly, the goal is to achieve full interoperability throughout the EU and to make sure that the infrastructure is easy to use.

The Council also adopted a general approach on a proposal to promote the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport (FuelEU Maritime).

The proposal aims to increase demand for and consistent use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in the maritime sector, while ensuring the smooth operation of maritime traffic and avoiding distortions in the internal market. As in the case of air transport, this proposal is key to getting maritime transport on track to meet the EU’s 2030 and 2050 climate targets. The proposal is based on the principle of technology neutrality, given the wide range of technologies used in the maritime sector, and therefore focuses on fuel demand.

The Council adopted its general approach on a proposal aimed at creating a level playing field for a sustainable air transport sector (ReFuelEU Aviation initiative).

The proposal aims to increase both demand for and supply of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), including synthetic aviation fuels, while ensuring a level playing field across the EU air transport market. It is a major proposal which aims to put air transport on the trajectory of the EU’s climate targets for 2030 and 2050, as SAF are one of the key short- and medium-term levers for decarbonizing aviation. It should provide a way out of the situation which is hindering their development: low supply, low demand and prices that are still much higher than fossil fuels.

The Council’s general approach retains the core aspects of the Commission’s proposal, not least the extent to which it contributes to meeting climate targets. Some notable aspects are as follows: 

The obligation for aviation fuel suppliers to ensure that all fuel made available to aircraft operators at EU airports contains a minimum share of SAF from 2025 and, from 2030, a minimum share of synthetic fuels, with both shares increasing progressively until 2050 (blending mandate and sub-mandate). The general approach also foresees an increase in the minimum share for 2030 from 5 to 6%.

The establishment of a transitional period allowing fuel suppliers to reach the SAF blending mandate as a weighted average of the quantities they have supplied across the Union, in order to facilitate the organization of the sector during its creation phase, without affecting the overall level of emissions.

The obligation for aircraft operators to ensure that the yearly quantity of aviation fuel uplifted at a given EU airport is at least 90% of the yearly aviation fuel required, in order to combat tankering.