EU urges 6 states to transpose rules on alternative fuels

The European Commission sent a reasoned opinion to Greece, Ireland, Malta, Romania, Slovenia and the United Kingdom, requesting them to notify their national policy framework under EU rules on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (Directive 2014/94/EU).

The Commission gave a deadline of two months to the 6 Member States to comply with their obligations under the Directive, otherwise, it may refer the case to the Court of Justice of the EU.

The national policy framework is the main instrument provided by the Directive to ensure the build-up of sufficient alternative fuel infrastructures, including recharging points for electric vehicles and refueling points for natural gas and hydrogen, and to avoid a fragmentation of the internal market. Accelerating alternative fuel infrastructure deployment is indeed essential to deliver a clean and competitive mobility to all Europeans, as set out by the Commission in the “Europe on the Move” package adopted in May 2017.

In addition, the Commission also decided to send a letter of formal notice to Sweden for notifying a National Policy Framework that does not contain the minimum elements required by the Directive.