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The proposal for a Regulation on alternative fuels infrastructure aims to establish reliable charging and refueling infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles. Progress has been made in trilogue meetings, with discussions on electric recharging, hydrogen refueling, payment options, and retrofitting existing stations. An agreement is expected in the fourth trilogue.


The proposal for a Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR) aims to establish reliable charging and refueling infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles. It is part of the 'fit for 55' package and is linked to other proposals on CO2 emission standards for vehicles. The proposal also addresses the deployment of private and publicly available charging stations.

The European Economic and Social Committee and the European Committee of the Regions adopted their opinions in December 2021 and January 2022 respectively. The Council agreed on a general approach in June 2022. The European Parliament designated the Committee on Transport and Tourism as responsible and adopted its position in October 2022. Trilogue meetings have made progress on various articles related to transport, but discussions and agreements on certain thresholds and provisions are still ongoing. Technical meetings were held in January 2023 to prepare for the third trilogue. Negotiations have begun on electric recharging and hydrogen refueling for vehicles. The Council and Parliament will prioritize articles on payments for recharging and infrastructure. There was also a discussion on including railway infrastructure in the scope of AFIR. Preliminary agreements have been reached on certain articles, and others will be discussed in future trilogues. The proposed mandate for the third trilogue aims to address outstanding articles and focus on better regulation during negotiations.

The Council and Parliament are working towards a partial agreement in the third trilogue, with further discussions in the fourth trilogue. The focus is on electric recharging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure for vehicles, with negotiations on payment options and retrofitting existing charging stations. An agreement is not expected in the third trilogue, but progress is being made towards a potential agreement in the fourth trilogue.

The proposal for a Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR) aims to establish reliable charging and refueling infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles. It is part of the 'fit for 55' package and is linked to other proposals on CO2 emission standards for vehicles. The proposal also addresses the deployment of private and publicly available charging stations.
CONTEXT AND CONTENT OF THE PROPOSAL emission performance standards for heavy-duty vehicles, which is foreseen for 2023. The pace of deployment of the (re)charging pools and (re)fuelling stations as well as their interoperability and user friendliness will influence the uptake of zero- and low-emission vehicles. At the same time, AFIR has linkages to FuelEU Maritime, and is also of relevance to emission reduction in aviation. Moreover, the proposal defines alternative fuels in coherence with the provisions of the proposal for the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive. Where the Directive on the Energy-Performance of Buildings regulates the deployment of private charging stations, AFIR is looking to ensure a sufficient number of publicly available charging stations.

1. On 14 July 2021, the Commission submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council the proposal for a Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR), as part of the ‘fit for 55’ package (the ‘package’).

The proposal aims to establish a reliable infrastructure for charging or refueling vehicles with alternative fuels, offer alternatives to fossil fuel-powered engines for stationary aircraft and vessels, and ensure easy access and compatibility for users.

3. The above proposal has interlinkages with other proposals of the ‘Fit for 55’ package. It is in particular linked to the proposal for revising the Regulation on CO2 emission performance standards for cars and vans and the proposal for revising the Regulation on CO

1. On 14 July 2021, the Commission submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council the proposal for a Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR), as part of the ‘fit for 55’ package (the ‘package’).
1. On 14 July 2021, the Commission submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council the proposal for a Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR), as part of the ‘fit for 55’ package (the ‘package’).


The proposal aims to establish a reliable infrastructure for charging or refueling vehicles with alternative fuels, offer alternatives to fossil fuel-powered engines for stationary aircraft and vessels, and ensure easy access and compatibility for users.
2. The objective of the proposal is threefold: first, to ensure that there is a sufficient infrastructure network for the (re)charging or (re)fuelling of road vehicles or vessels with alternative fuels; second to provide alternatives to the use of on-board engines (powered by fossil fuels) for vessels at berth or stationary aircraft, and third to ensure full interoperability and user friendliness of the infrastructure.


3. The above proposal has interlinkages with other proposals of the ‘Fit for 55’ package. It is in particular linked to the proposal for revising the Regulation on CO2 emission performance standards for cars and vans and the proposal for revising the Regulation on CO
3. The above proposal has interlinkages with other proposals of the ‘Fit for 55’ package. It is in particular linked to the proposal for revising the Regulation on CO2 emission performance standards for cars and vans and the proposal for revising the Regulation on CO



The European Economic and Social Committee and the European Committee of the Regions adopted their opinions in December 2021 and January 2022 respectively. The Council agreed on a general approach in June 2022. The European Parliament designated the Committee on Transport and Tourism as responsible and adopted its position in October 2022. Trilogue meetings have made progress on various articles related to transport, but discussions and agreements on certain thresholds and provisions are still ongoing. Technical meetings were held in January 2023 to prepare for the third trilogue. Negotiations have begun on electric recharging and hydrogen refueling for vehicles. The Council and Parliament will prioritize articles on payments for recharging and infrastructure. There was also a discussion on including railway infrastructure in the scope of AFIR. Preliminary agreements have been reached on certain articles, and others will be discussed in future trilogues. The proposed mandate for the third trilogue aims to address outstanding articles and focus on better regulation during negotiations.


4. The European Economic and Social Committee adopted its opinion on 9 December 2021, the European Committee of the Regions adopted its opinion on 26 January 2022.

5. The Council agreed on a general approach on 2 June 2022.

6. The European Parliament designated the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) as the committee responsible and Mr Ismail ERTUG (DE, S&D) was appointed as its rapporteur. The European Parliament adopted its position in plenary on 19 October 2022.

During informal trilogue meetings, progress was made on various articles related to subjects such as liquefied methane for road and maritime transport, shore-side electricity in ports, and supply of electricity to stationary aircraft. Agreements were reached on several articles, while discussions and agreement on certain thresholds and provisions are still ongoing.

Between 11 and 25 January 2023, three technical meetings were held to prepare for the third trilogue on 7 February. The Presidency presented compromise proposals and drafting suggestions in the Intermodal Transport Working Party. Negotiations focused on outstanding issues in Articles 9, 11, 12, and the reporting cluster. Progress was made on data provisions in Article 18, but some aspects still need further development and clarification.

Negotiations have begun on electric recharging for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as hydrogen refueling for road transport. The Council and Parliament have clarified their positions on charging capacity, with the Presidency emphasizing reasonable traffic thresholds and the need to ensure charging station availability.

The Council and Parliament will prioritize Article 5, which deals with payments for recharging, as it is more relevant to citizens. Once an agreement is reached on Article 5, the same approach will be applied to Article 7, which focuses on the infrastructure for recharging and refueling.

11. There was also a discussion on the proposal from the Parliament in Article 12a to include railway infrastructure in the scope of AFIR.

12. Delegations have been informed about a preliminary agreement on Article 20 (exercise of the delegation), Article 21 (committee procedure) and Article 23 (repeal). This will need to be confirmed in the third trilogue.

13. Article 24 (entry into force and date of application) was also discussed. This Article will be left for the fourth trilogue.

The proposed mandate for the third informal trilogue aims to address outstanding articles, except for Article 21a, which is deemed unnecessary in the context of AFIR. It is suggested to focus on better regulation during negotiations rather than requesting the Commission to reconsider regulatory reduction later.

4. The European Economic and Social Committee adopted its opinion on 9 December 2021, the European Committee of the Regions adopted its opinion on 26 January 2022.
4. The European Economic and Social Committee adopted its opinion on 9 December 2021, the European Committee of the Regions adopted its opinion on 26 January 2022.


5. The Council agreed on a general approach on 2 June 2022.
5. The Council agreed on a general approach on 2 June 2022.


6. The European Parliament designated the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) as the committee responsible and Mr Ismail ERTUG (DE, S&D) was appointed as its rapporteur. The European Parliament adopted its position in plenary on 19 October 2022.
6. The European Parliament designated the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) as the committee responsible and Mr Ismail ERTUG (DE, S&D) was appointed as its rapporteur. The European Parliament adopted its position in plenary on 19 October 2022.


During informal trilogue meetings, progress was made on various articles related to subjects such as liquefied methane for road and maritime transport, shore-side electricity in ports, and supply of electricity to stationary aircraft. Agreements were reached on several articles, while discussions and agreement on certain thresholds and provisions are still ongoing.
7. At a first informal trilogue on 27 October 2022, the co-legislators held an exchange of views on their respective positions and agreed to grant a broad mandate to the technical level. During the second informal trilogue on 13 December, significant progress was achieved. In particular, a preliminary agreement was found on Article 1 (subject matter), Article 8 (liquefied methane for road transport), Article 10 (shore-side electricity for inland waterway ports), Article 14a (content, structure and format of the national policy frameworks and national progress reports), Article 16 (progress tracking), Article 17 (user information) and Article 19 (common technical specifications) as well as Annex II (technical specifications). As regards Article 9 (shore-side electricity in maritime ports), Article 11 (liquefied methane in maritime ports) and Article 12 (supply of electricity to stationary aircraft), most of the text was agreed; only some of the thresholds in these articles need to be agreed upon. There was also an exchange of views on Article 15 (review of the national policy frameworks and national progress reports) and Article 18 (data provisions).


Between 11 and 25 January 2023, three technical meetings were held to prepare for the third trilogue on 7 February. The Presidency presented compromise proposals and drafting suggestions in the Intermodal Transport Working Party. Negotiations focused on outstanding issues in Articles 9, 11, 12, and the reporting cluster. Progress was made on data provisions in Article 18, but some aspects still need further development and clarification.
8. Between 11 and 25 January 2023 there were 3 technical meetings organised to prepare for the third trilogue planned on 7 February. The Presidency presented in the Intermodal Transport Working Party compromise proposals and drafting suggestions that were prepared in the technical meetings with the Parliament. Negotiations continued as regards the outstanding issues in Articles 9, 11 and 12 and the reporting cluster (Articles 13-15). Significant progress has been made on the data provisions in Article 18. The intention is to confirm as much as possible. Still, and especially in Article 18, there remains some aspects to be further developed and clarified.


Negotiations have begun on electric recharging for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as hydrogen refueling for road transport. The Council and Parliament have clarified their positions on charging capacity, with the Presidency emphasizing reasonable traffic thresholds and the need to ensure charging station availability.
9. Negotiations have started on Article 3 (electric recharging for light-duty vehicles), Article 4 (electric recharging for heavy-duty vehicles) and Article 6 (hydrogen refuelling for road transport). In the technical meetings the positions of the Council and the Parliament have been clarified as regards the charging capacity. The Presidency has insisted on the reasonable traffic thresholds and demonstrated this with figures to substantiate the fact that on those stretches, there is very little traffic work (in terms of vehicles km) and that the derogations should not jeopardise the availability of charging stations.


The Council and Parliament will prioritize Article 5, which deals with payments for recharging, as it is more relevant to citizens. Once an agreement is reached on Article 5, the same approach will be applied to Article 7, which focuses on the infrastructure for recharging and refueling.
10. As regards Article 5 and Article 7, dealing with payments and the infrastructure for recharging and refuelling respectively, Council and Parliament have agreed to first look at Article 5 as this is the more specific article because recharging is more relevant for citizens. Once an agreement will be found on Article 5, the same approach will be adapted to Article 7.


11. There was also a discussion on the proposal from the Parliament in Article 12a to include railway infrastructure in the scope of AFIR.
11. There was also a discussion on the proposal from the Parliament in Article 12a to include railway infrastructure in the scope of AFIR.


12. Delegations have been informed about a preliminary agreement on Article 20 (exercise of the delegation), Article 21 (committee procedure) and Article 23 (repeal). This will need to be confirmed in the third trilogue.
12. Delegations have been informed about a preliminary agreement on Article 20 (exercise of the delegation), Article 21 (committee procedure) and Article 23 (repeal). This will need to be confirmed in the third trilogue.


13. Article 24 (entry into force and date of application) was also discussed. This Article will be left for the fourth trilogue.
13. Article 24 (entry into force and date of application) was also discussed. This Article will be left for the fourth trilogue.


The proposed mandate for the third informal trilogue aims to address outstanding articles, except for Article 21a, which is deemed unnecessary in the context of AFIR. It is suggested to focus on better regulation during negotiations rather than requesting the Commission to reconsider regulatory reduction later.
14. The proposed mandate for the third informal trilogue is addressing all the outstanding articles as mentioned under points 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the present report. The only aspect that has not been discussed in detail is the proposal from the Parliament to include Article 21a (compensatory regulatory reduction). Article 21a is considered as not necessary in the context of a sector-specific regulation like AFIR. It is better to ensure better regulation during the negotiations than to ask the Commission to reconsider afterwards what could be further improved as regards regulatory reduction.



The Council and Parliament are working towards a partial agreement in the third trilogue, with further discussions in the fourth trilogue. The focus is on electric recharging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure for vehicles, with negotiations on payment options and retrofitting existing charging stations. An agreement is not expected in the third trilogue, but progress is being made towards a potential agreement in the fourth trilogue.
THE PROPOSED MANDATE

The Council and Parliament are seeking compromises on certain issues to reach a partial agreement in the third trilogue. Other aspects will be discussed in the fourth trilogue for a comprehensive agreement.

The third trilogue will include a political discussion on electric recharging for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as hydrogen refueling for road transport. The Presidency acknowledges the need for more infrastructure and ambition but also emphasizes the importance of flexibility for specific circumstances. The Council's general approach will be defended, but an agreement is not expected in the third trilogue. Discussions will pave the way for a potential agreement in the fourth trilogue.

Negotiations have focused on recharging infrastructure and payment options. Once an agreement is reached on recharging, the same principles will be applied to refuelling. Outstanding issues include payment methods, price components, e-roaming, price monitoring, and retrofitting existing charging stations. The Presidency is confident in finding a reasonable outcome for payment methods, but pin-authorization is still required. The scope of retrofitting should be extended to include all chargers with a power output of 50 kW or more. This also affects the requirement to display ad hoc price information.

The Council and Parliament are seeking compromises on certain issues to reach a partial agreement in the third trilogue. Other aspects will be discussed in the fourth trilogue for a comprehensive agreement.
15. At the technical level, in preparation of this third trilogue, Council and Parliament have continued to look for compromises on the following issues that should allow for at least a partial agreement. Other aspects and elements will need further consideration at the fourth trilogue to find a comprehensive agreement.


The third trilogue will include a political discussion on electric recharging for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as hydrogen refueling for road transport. The Presidency acknowledges the need for more infrastructure and ambition but also emphasizes the importance of flexibility for specific circumstances. The Council's general approach will be defended, but an agreement is not expected in the third trilogue. Discussions will pave the way for a potential agreement in the fourth trilogue.
16. In the third trilogue a first political discussion is planned on Article 3 (electric recharging for light-duty vehicles), Article 4 (electric recharging for heavy-duty vehicles) and Article 6 (hydrogen refuelling for road transport). As regards the targets for recharging and refuelling, the Presidency has acknowledged the need for more infrastructure and a specific level of ambition but the Presidency also explained the need to be reasonable and ensure sufficient flexibility to cater for specific circumstances. These circumstances relate in particular to areas with low population density and low traffic and to take into consideration ongoing technological developments that make some of the proposed targets not yet ready for full market deployment. The Presidency will defend the Council’s general approach and does not intend to come to an agreement on these articles at the third trilogue. But discussions are expected to pave the way for an agreement in the fourth trilogue.


Negotiations have focused on recharging infrastructure and payment options. Once an agreement is reached on recharging, the same principles will be applied to refuelling. Outstanding issues include payment methods, price components, e-roaming, price monitoring, and retrofitting existing charging stations. The Presidency is confident in finding a reasonable outcome for payment methods, but pin-authorization is still required. The scope of retrofitting should be extended to include all chargers with a power output of 50 kW or more. This also affects the requirement to display ad hoc price information.
17. Negotiations on the recharging and refuelling infrastructure have mainly focused on the infrastructure and payment options for recharging in Article 5. The same logic should apply and will be adapted, where relevant, to Article 7, once an agreement has been found on Article 5. The main outstanding issues in Article 5 relate to payment methods, the price components, e-roaming, the monitoring of the price and retrofitting of existing charging stations. As regards the payment methods, the Presidency is confident to find a reasonable outcome based on the general approach and the different options, based on the type of charger. The fact is that it is not possible, at least at this time, to change the payment security and allow for payments without pin-authorisation. However, the Presidency would like to propose to extend the scope of the retrofitting for the payment options in Article 5(2) (line 188) and to cover all the chargers with a power output equal to or more than 50 kW and not just those on the TEN- T. This also has implications for the requirement to show the information on the ad hoc price