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News from Brussels
On 27 May, the European Commission published a comprehensive report on the technological and market readiness of heavy-duty vehicles, highlighting the urgent need for rapid market uptake of zero-emission vehicles to meet the emission reduction targets. The report, mandated by the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), assesses the current state and prospects of zero-emission HDVs, and underscores the need to deploy sufficient recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure to support the transition to zero-emission transport.
The report indicates that while the share of zero-emission vehicles in the HDV fleet is still minimal, it is growing rapidly, driven primarily by battery electric vehicles (BEVs). In 2024, over 15,000 battery electric lorries and 170 hydrogen lorries were registered in the EU, with BEVs accounting for 2.3% of new lorry registrations. The market for zero-emission buses and coaches is more advanced, with battery electric models making up 18.4% of new registrations in 2024. The report also notes that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, although fewer in number, are being developed to offer longer driving ranges and potential operational advantages in specific use cases.
To support the deployment of zero-emission HDVs, the report emphasises the need for a robust recharging and refuelling infrastructure network. By the end of 2024, over 140,000 publicly accessible DC recharging points were deployed in the EU, though most are designed for cars and vans. The report highlights the importance of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), which is supporting the deployment of dedicated HDV recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. However, challenges remain, including lengthy permitting and grid connection procedures, which delay infrastructure projects.
The report concludes that while significant progress has been made, substantial investments and coordinated efforts are still required to meet the 2030 targets for zero-emission HDVs. It calls for accelerated deployment of recharging infrastructure and grid modernisation to support the increasing demand for zero-emission vehicles. The report also notes the potential of electric road systems (ERS) and battery swapping technologies, though their widespread adoption is not expected in the short to medium term due to high costs and operational challenges.