The European Commission has announced it will fund €424m to advance the EU’s alternative fuel infrastructure.
Optimising Europe’s alternative fuel supply will be essential for supporting the uptake of electric and hydrogen vehicles.
The funding will support 42 projects across the alternative fuel supply chain, which have been selected under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the EU funding programme supporting European transport infrastructure.
Director of the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), Paloma Aba Garrote, commented on the funding: “We continue to support projects of paramount importance to the realisation of the objectives laid out under the EU Green Deal.
“With this new selection, the European Union is showing that a transition to zero-emission transport through alternative fuels is not a dream for the future, but something that is happening now across the EU.”
Supporting Europe’s zero-emission mobility
The aim of the Connecting Europe Facility Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility call for proposals is to assist in the expansion of alternative fuel supply infrastructure, thereby aiding in the reduction of carbon emissions in transportation across the European TEN-T network.
With a total budget of €1bn allocated for the period of 2024-2025, AFIF finances projects by leveraging CEF grants and support from financial institutions.
This initiative operates through a rolling call for proposals initiated on 29 February 2024, with three deadlines for proposal submissions until the conclusion of 2025.
Advancing alternative fuel infrastructure
The funding will be employed to develop 4,200 EV charging points throughout the TEN-T road network.
Additionally, 48 hydrogen refuelling stations will be created for cars, trucks, and buses, with the electrification of ground handling services in 21 airports also targeted.
European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean, added: “Since 2021, the EU has granted over €1.3bn through AFIF to several projects, deploying 26,396 electric recharging points, 202 hydrogen refuelling stations, and electrifying ground operations in 63 airports.
“This last call was the most successful regarding the projects’ number and quality so far, showing the growing interest in hydrogen and electric charging infrastructure.”
The latest call for applications is now open, and the first submission deadline is 24 September 2024.