Brussels, 17 January 2019 – The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has published data on the severe lack of recharging and refuelling infrastructure suitable for electric and other alternatively-powered trucks across the EU.
ACEA is issuing this new data ahead of a decisive meeting on Europe’s first-ever CO2 targets for trucks, taking place next week between representatives of the European Parliament, the 28 national governments and the European Commission as part of the ‘trilogue’ negotiations.
Reaching the ambitious CO2 standards proposed by the EU will only be possible with a rapid and massive market uptake of zero- and low-emission trucks. While the aim is to conclude a deal on the new CO2 targets within the next few weeks, the required infrastructure is almost completely absent today and there is no clear EU action plan for its future roll-out.
According to conservative estimations, at least 6,000 high-power charging points for electric trucks (DC >500 kW) would be needed along EU motorways by 2025/2030. In addition, another 20,000 ‘regular’ charging points suitable for trucks are required − bringing the total to 26,000.
“The shocking fact is that there is not one single public charging point for long-haul trucks available today,” stated ACEA Secretary General Erik Jonnaert. “What is more, a standard for the required high-power plugs doesn’t exist yet.”
Although high-power charging points are being rolled out for electric passenger cars along motorways, heavy-duty trucks cannot use this infrastructure because of their much higher power and energy demand, as well as the many parking spots they would need for charging along all major routes in Europe.
Similarly, hydrogen filling stations for cars are not suitable for trucks, given that the pressure storage is too small to meet truck demand. Some 1,000 truck-specific hydrogen stations are needed by 2025/2030, but less than 10 are available across the entire EU today – none of which are suitable for long-haul trucks.
Truck-specific public filling stations for compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are currently present in some EU member states, but their distribution is still very patchy across Europe and the number of stations remains low.
“Policy makers must be aware of this alarming situation when agreeing future CO2 targets for trucks, as these are dependent on a massive ramp-up in sales of alternatively-powered trucks,” cautioned Jonnaert. “The targets should be set accordingly – and must be accompanied by an action plan to roll out truck-specific infrastructure across the EU. Customers cannot be expected to invest in alternatively-powered trucks if they do not have the possibility to recharge or refuel them.”
Mr Jonnaert: “ACEA fully supports an agreement on the new truck CO2 standards, but we urge decision makers to ensure that the targets are achievable in practice.”
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Notes for editors
- The first ‘trilogue’ meeting between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council took place on 8 January. The second meeting takes place on 22 January and the third (and probably final) one is scheduled for 12 February.
- An overview of infrastructure available for alternatively-powered trucks can be found here: https://www.acea.be/uploads/press_releases_files/Infrastructure_alternatively-powered_trucks_January_2019.pdf
- The accompanying infographic may be republished, provided that ACEA is credited as the source of the material.
About ACEA
- The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) is the Brussels-based trade association of the 15 major car, van, truck and bus producers in Europe.
- The ACEA commercial vehicle members are DAF Trucks, Daimler Trucks, Iveco, MAN Truck & Bus, Scania, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, and Volvo Group.
- More information can be found on www.acea.be or @ACEA_eu.
- Contact: Cara McLaughlin, Communications Director, cm@acea.be, +32 2 738 73 45 or +32 485 88 66 47.
About the EU automobile industry
- 13.3 million people – or 6.1% of the EU employed population – work directly and indirectly in the sector.
- The 3.4 million jobs in automotive manufacturing represent over 11% of total EU manufacturing employment.
- Motor vehicles account for some €413 billion in tax contributions in the EU15.
- The sector is also a key driver of knowledge and innovation, representing Europe’s largest private contributor to R&D, with €54 billion invested annually.
- The automobile industry generates a trade surplus of €90.3 billion for the EU.