The EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive 2014/94 (AFID) aims to make it easier for consumers to recharge and refuel alternative powered vehicles by providing increased charging and refueling points for electric cars and hydrogen trucks. The European Commission proposed a revision to AFID in September 2020 to align it with the EU’s increased 2030 GHG target, and a public consultation was launched to gather stakeholder views in April 2020. AFID ensures minimum coverage of electric recharging points and hydrogen refueling points.
After predominantly positive engagement from the automotive and utilities sectors, the adopted AFIR proposal contained ambitious targets for recharging and refueling infrastructure, although engagement from the energy sector led to the inclusion of measures to increase Liquified Natural Gas infrastructure.
IPCC aligned transition from carbon-emitting technologies
Inactive: completed. The file was approved in July 2023.
IPCC aligned transition from carbon-emitting technologies
Inactive: completed. The file was approved in July 2023.
On 8 February, industry association smartEn published a policy recommendation ahead of the trilogue negotiations on the European Union’s (EU) Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), supporting the ambitious EU Parliament’s position on the policy.
A Freedom of Information request from a 14th June 2022 meeting between EU Commissioner Kadri Simson and Anglo American yielded insights into Anglo American’s positions on the EU hydrogen economy. While the company supported more ambitious hydrogen infrastructure provisions under the EU Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation, and supported the EU Hydrogen Strategy, Anglo American engaged more negatively on other areas of hydrogen regulation in the EU. This included supporting the EU Renewable Energy Directive’s sub-targets for renewable hydrogen and hydrogen-based synthetic fuels in transport and industry, but expressing unclear positions on strict rules for renewable hydrogen production; supporting the development of hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles, while calling for a technology neutral approach to decarbonizing transport and not supporting a full phase out of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles; and supporting the EU’s carbon dioxide emissions standards for cars and vans while not supporting an ICE phase out.
In a December 9th joint letter, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) and Hydrogen Europe urged EU member states to set higher targets for the deployment of hydrogen refueling and electricity recharging stations in the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), following “insufficient ambition” from the EU Council.
In a position paper on the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation trilogues, published on 9th December, BusinessEurope advocated for higher ambition in proposals to scale up recharging infrastructure, but supported weaker proposals from EU policymakers on aviation infrastructure and stressed the international competitiveness impacts of the policy.
On November 30th, Airlines For Europe (A4E) Managing Director, Thomas Reynaert, released a letter providing policy recommendations ahead of an EU Transport Minister’s meeting occurring on December 5th. The letter appeared to support the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation while proposing exemptions for small airports and cautioned against targets for hydrogen and electric re-charging infrastructure for aircraft. It also supported an EU sustainable aviation fuel mandate while appearing to oppose the provision enabling member states to increase national mandates, suggest that fuel cost implications from the invasion of Ukraine be considered for interim targets, and emphasize carbon leakage concerns.
On December 5th, A4E released a YouTube video opposing an EU jet fuel tax, while supporting the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The video stated a jet fuel tax would undermine the EU ETS, distort competition and could lead to an increase in CO2 emissions.
Following trilogue negotiations on the EU ETS for aviation, A4E released a position paper on December 7th. The paper appeared supportive of the EU’s decision to maintain the scope of the EU ETS to intra-EU flights and create sustainable aviation fuel-based allowances, while opposing the proposed 2026 phase-out date for free emissions allowance.
Hydrogen Europe supported more ambitious measures to decarbonize the transport sector in the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, specifically hydrogen-based heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), in a 19th October press release.
In an October 19th press release, Airlines for Europe (A4E) stated general support for the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, with the exception that it excludes small airports with a capacity of under 10,000 scheduled commercial movements per year.
In a 6th September press release, EDF subsidiary Edison promoted the long-term use of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) within the Italian gas network as well as in relation to decarbonizing shipping and heavy-duty transport.
In its weekly newsletter, published on 14th July, BusinessEurope stated positions on several of the EU’s Fit for 55 package policies, which have had positions agreed by all EU institutions. It supported increasing the ambition of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation and was in favor of speeding up the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) for road transport and buildings. However, it supported the EU Parliament’s proposal to stagger the rebasing of the EU ETS emissions cap. It also did not support proposals for an EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), advocating for export rebates.
In an 8th June social media post, Hydrogen Europe CEO Jorgo Chatzimarkakis supported stronger measures for hydrogen in the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure regulation, FuelEU Maritime, and the ReFuelEU Aviation proposals.
In a 4th May joint report, Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) did not appear to support the EU’s CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles, instead promoting the use of alternative ICE (internal combustion engine) technologies in heavy-duty vehicles, such as bio-LNG. In the same report, GIE also supported the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation with major exceptions, such as advocating for the inclusion of LNG and CNG infrastructure in the scope of the policy.
On the 3rd May, Director General of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) and the CEO of Hydrogen Europe signed a joint letter calling for more ambitious alternative fuels infrastructure targets in the EU to allow for the rapid uptake of zero-emission vehicles. This included ambitious mandatory TEN-T targets from 2025 at the latest, and for the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) to set minimum requirements for the establishment of a comprehensive and interconnected network of alternative fuels infrastructure across the EU.
In a 3rd May joint letter, several European gas-sector trade associations including Eurogas, Gas Infrastructure Europe, GasNaturally, Gas Distributors for Sustainability, along with Volvo advocated to weaken the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation by providing greater support and ambition to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure.
An open letter to EU policymakers on 19th April, initiated by Air Liquide's Head of Innovation Dr. Armin Günther, supported a long-term role for internal combustion engine vehicles in the EU, advocating for EU policies (including the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, the Energy Taxation Directive, CO2 Standards for Light and Heavy Duty Vehicles and the Renewable Energy Directive) to support e-fuels and hydrogen over the electrification of transportation. The letter stated that “electromobility will in all likelihood not lead to any significant greenhouse gas reductions in the period up to 2030, which is crucial for the long-term success or failure of climate protection. In particular to, the high CO2 emissions caused by the construction of batteries, the high share of fossil fuels in power generation that will still exist for a long time and the enormous expense for the charging infrastructure.”
On March 30th, Hyundai Motor Group’s Brussels Office tweeted in favor of increased ambition for the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). Hyundai Motor cited research which found that double the number of public charging points in the EU Commission’s AFIR proposal would be needed in order to reach 55% CO2 reduction of passenger vehicles.
On the 18th March, several transport and energy sector trade associations including Eurelectric, WindEurope, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), and the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) released a joint statement calling for higher ambition in the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). The statement also supported measures to develop EV infrastructure in the AFIR revision, and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
In a February newsletter, BusinessEurope suggested that mobility policies in the Fit for 55 package should take into account the costs for industry and impacts on competitiveness. The association supported the emission intensity standards but advocated for alternative production pathways for fuels in the FuelEU Maritime legislation, and suggested that there could be international retaliation.
BusinessEurope was supportive of slightly higher blending obligations in the short and medium term in the ReFuelEU Aviation legislation, but supported flexibilities for companies. The association advocated for increased ambition of the roll-out of charging and refuelling infrastructure in the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation.
In a January 2022 European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) press release, Volvo Group CEO, Martin Lundstedt, appeared to support the electrification of road freight transport, calling for ambitious targets for truck-specific infrastructure in the proposed Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR).
In feedback to the EU Commission in November 2021, Confindustria appeared to adopt mixed positions on the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), supporting binding recharging infrastructure targets for Member States within AFIR, however also advocating for greater recognition of fossil gas refueling infrastructure.
In feedback to the EU Commission in November 2021, the Federation of German Industry adopted a mixed position on the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, advocating for increased charging capacity and less distance between charging points, but also advocating for greater recognition of fossil gas in road transport decarbonization via binding targets.
In a December 2021 report, the European Round Table for Industry appeared to support the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive, supporting an expanded role for zero-emissions hydrogen, EV charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
BusinessEurope released a position paper on the Fit for 55 package, which advocated for a more ambitious revision of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, but supported including targets for Liquified and Compressed Natural Gas that mirrored electric recharging points. The position paper did not support the EU’s target for phasing out internal combustion engines by 2035 and was in favor of emissions intensity standards in the FuelEU Maritime regulation, as well as including Liquified Natural Gas.
The table below lists the entities found to be most engaged with the policy. The entities are ranked by performance band. InfluenceMap tracks over 500 companies and 250 industry associations globally. Each entity name links to its full InfluenceMap profile, where the evidence of its engagement can be found.
| Influencemap Performance Band | Organization | Policy Position | Policy Engagement Intensity |
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