EU drops targets for number of EV and hydrogen stations

The EU has dropped proposed targets for the number of hydrogen filling stations and electric charging points member countries must install by 2020.

Auto Express reported earlier in the year that the UK was facing a 64,000 EV charge point shortfall, but it’s no longer a problem under the new directive. EU law makers have decided to scrap the official targets and shied away from placing binding rules on European countries in the new alternative fuels law.

Instead, Governments must develop national action plans and install an “appropriate number of electric recharging points accessible to the public” by the end of 2020. It means the EU’s “e-mobility” will evolve at an uneven rate across the continent, with reviews only scheduled for 2017 and 2018.

• September 2014 best month for new car sales in a decade

Campaign group Transport & Environment has criticised the latest law, dismissing it as a “dead letter”, because it will do nothing to set a level playing field for alternative fuels to fairly compete with oil in transport energy.

Greg Archer, clean vehicles manager at Transport & Environment, said: “It’s unfortunate that this emperor ended up having no clothes because Governments could not accept binding commitments for low-carbon charging infrastructure. 

“Europe can and should do better and initiate a comprehensive strategy on e-mobility. This continent needs to join the race for clean innovation, cut its €300billion oil import bill and reduce CO2 emissions as soon as possible.” 

Even though there are now no EU-wide targets, the UK is still pressing ahead in expanding its charging network. The Government’s £9million Go Ultra Low campaign will allow more than 200 extra charge points to be installed this year, although there is no support for hydrogen filling stations yet.

The EU alternative fuel law is due to come into force later this month.

Do you agree with these changes? Let us know in the comments section below...