European Parliament sets EU-wide charging infrastructure targets

Source: Picture by Geralt on Pixabay

The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) was approved by the EU Council on July 25th. It will be published in the EU’s official journal after the summer and will enter into force 20 days afterwards.

Negotiators agreed that electric cars must be able to charge in intervals of 60 kilometres along the main routes (TEN-T) in the European Union by 2026, with the network’s power output growing to 600 kW by 2028.

The negotiators also agreed that there should be a charging station every 120 kilometres for trucks and buses. MEPs confirmed on July 11th that these stations, with a 1,400 kW to 2,800 kW power output depending on the road, should be built on half of the important EU roadways by 2028. Member states must also ensure that hydrogen filling stations are constructed at least every 200 kilometres along major routes by 2031.

The new rule aims to address not only the minimum number of charging stations, but also the issue that users of charging points frequently have to cope with convoluted payment methods or subscription structures.

In the future, no subscription will be required for customers to make one-time payments at any of the EU’s public charging stations. Fast charging stations over 50 kW must also include card readers.

The new regulations will go into effect six months after the date of entrance into force.

Sources:

https://h2.live/en/news/2989/

First rail gliding system to be implemented in the Netherlands

Source: Picture by Pvdv63 on Pixabay

The projected Railterminal Gelderland (RTG) in the Dutch province of Gelderland and Infrastructure Manager ProRail are developing technology that would allow freight trains to enter without using overhead lines or diesel locomotives.

Freight trains will ‘glide’ onto the terminal grounds saving time and cutting CO2 emissions.

The RTG would be the first location in the Netherlands to adopt this technology, which would allow freight trains to roll onto the terminal with an electric locomotive by using the momentum they had built up on the Betuweroute freight line.

Overhead lines are frequently absent at rail freight terminals since they would make loading and unloading more difficult. However, there is a planned overhead line segment at the RTG where the freight train will stop. The Technology is already in use in Germany and Austria.

The project manager of ProRail Gerben Leskens cites 2026 as the deadline for the rollout of the technology at the terminal.

Source:

https://www.railfreight.com/railfreight/2023/07/17/no-diesel-locomotives-but-gliding-trains-for-the-new-dutch-rtg-terminal/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20week%202023-29&gdpr=accept

EU Commission approves €125 million for support of Italian freight rolling stock modernisation

Source: Picture by Jai79 on Pixabay

A €125 million Italian program to support the purchase of new freight rolling stock has been authorized by the European Commission in accordance with EU State Aid regulations. The program is part of Italy’s National Plan for Complementary Investments, which will provide national resources to the Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan.

The Commission determined that the program is required to encourage the use of train travel, which is less polluting than driving and relieves traffic congestion. Thus, in accordance with the goals of the European Green Deal and the EU Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, the Commission concluded that the measure would make it easier for freight transportation to move from the road to the rail.

The program, which will be in effect until December 31, 2025, will be available to railroads and businesses that lease rolling stock for use on Italian soil.

Source:

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/pl/mex_23_3891