EC Issues Warnings to Eight Member States Related to Its Rules on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Monday June 5, 2017

The European Commission (EC) has requested that Cyprus, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Slovenia move to fully transpose EU rules on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (Directive 2014/94/EU), which should have been fully implemented by November 18, 2016 at the latest.

Directive 2014/94/EU details minimum requirements for the development of alternative fuels infrastructure, including electric vehicle recharging points, and refuelling points for natural gas and hydrogen.

EC notes that the directive is intended to establish a common framework for the large-scale roll-out of alternative fuels infrastructure in Europe.

"This is essential to reduce transport oil-dependence, mitigate its environmental impact and, thereby, deliver on the Strategy for Low-Emission Mobility adopted by the Commission on 20 June 2016," said EC.

EC says Cyprus, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Slovenia have not yet notified EC of measures to implement the directive into national law.

The eight member states have two months to notify the EC of such measures or the commission may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the EU.