European Parliament approves regulations for sustainable maritime fuels and recharging infrastructure
The European Parliament has taken an important step towards the energy transition in transport by approving a new regulation that establishes the installation of plugs for electric cars every 60 kilometres on major motorways, and every 120 kilometres for trucks and every 200 kilometres for hydrogen tanks.
The charging infrastructure for electric cars will have to be extended along the TEN-T network with a minimum power of 400 kilowatts (kW) in 2026 and 800 kW in 2028. While for trucks and buses, charging stations will have to be installed on half of the main roads in the EU by 2028, with an initial power of 1.400 kW, increasing to 2.800 kW depending on the road, ensuring at least one charging point every 200 kilometres by 2031.
These stations must be open to all drivers, have simple payment systems and display the price and recharging times. In addition, the new regulations also include the promotion of the use of hydrogen, requiring hydrogen stations every 200 kilometres on major roads.
This measure is part of the plan to facilitate the transition to zero-emission vehicles, the only ones that can be sold in the EU from 2035. By promoting more sustainable, renewable and efficient energy solutions in transport, the aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, improving the quality of life of citizens and generating new high-quality jobs in the sector.
The European Parliament has also approved regulations to encourage greener maritime fuels. Ships with a cargo weight of more than 5.000 tonnes, which are responsible for 90% of the CO2 emissions in the maritime sector, will have to gradually reduce their emissions from the energy they use. By 2025, they will be required to reduce their emissions by 2% compared to 2020, increasing to 80% from 2050. They will also have to run on electricity while moored at the dock from 2030 and use at least 2% renewable fuels of biological origin.
With these measures, Europe is positioning itself as a leader in the decarbonisation of maritime transport, fostering demand for sustainable fuels and promoting innovation in the sector. Once the EU Council approves both laws, the rules are expected to come into force in the coming months, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future in land and sea transport.
