Trucks
Trucks
Over the next few years, infrastructure networks for alternative fuels across Europe will be given a boost by the EU’s new AFIR regulation. It means that there are now legally-binding targets in place for numbers of public chargers for trucks, and hydrogen refueling stations.
The European Union adopted its Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) in April 2024 as part of its Fit for 55 package, which aims to reduce emissions in the EU by 55% by 2030.
The regulation covers a range of alternative fuels, as well as transportation modes including passenger cars, heavy vehicles, marine vessels and air vehicles. It is unique for both its scope and the fact that it introduces legally binding targets for the deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure across EU member states.
The biggest impact AFIR will have on electric trucks is that by 2030, charging stations for heavy-duty trucks must be available every 120 km along Europe’s main highway network (see image below). At least 15% of the network must be compliant by 2025, rising to 50% by 2027. In addition, hydrogen refueling stations must be available every 200 km by 2030.
“AFIR will help establish a core charging network which will make it possible to drive between any two points in Europe,” says Henrik Engdahl, Business Development Director, Volvo Trucks. “It will also provide certainty to electric truck owners and it shows that substantial investments are being made in this area.”
Until now, the issue of public charging infrastructure has been a chicken-and-egg dilemma… AFIR will force the egg to hatch by creating a Europe-wide charging network.
By creating a minimum baseline for charging infrastructure across the European Union, AFIR will help to accelerate additional investments. For one, the subsidies that will be made available by member states will create new opportunities for charging station operators, including those currently building chargers for passenger cars. This, in turn, will improve the economies of scale and create an even stronger business case for more public chargers.
“As used to be the case for passenger cars, we have a chicken-and-egg dilemma,” explains Henrik. “Without adequate infrastructure, it’s hard to invest in electric trucks, but without a significant population of vehicles, it’s hard to invest in charging infrastructure. What AFIR will do is help solve this dilemma and force the egg to hatch, so to speak. It will not solve all our charging infrastructure needs alone, but it will push the cart forwards and get things rolling.”
The EU’s planned network of charging stations will make it possible for electric trucks to cover significantly longer ranges, and electrify a much broader range of applications and industries. The planned hydrogen network will also make it easier to introduce hydrogen-powered trucks in the future, once they become available.
“Right now, many electric truck customers charge at their home base, and therefore they are limited to an operating radius around that,” says Henrik. “If you can recharge just once during the day, which is more likely with a good network of public chargers, you can significantly extend that operating radius.”
If you can recharge just once during the day, which is more likely with a good network of public chargers, you can significantly extend that operating radius.
By 2030, hydrogen refueling stations will be available every 200 km along Europe’s main highways, paving the way for the introduction of fuel cell trucks once the technology becomes commercially available.
One of the most significant outcomes of AFIR is that it aligns all EU member states and creates a consensus on the future direction of alternative fuels. It can be seen as a statement of intent when it comes to infrastructure deployment, and a reassurance that significant investments are forthcoming. For both current and prospective owners of electric trucks, AFIR also reaffirms the fact that electric trucks can be used for an ever-increasing number of transport assignments.
To learn more about alternative fuels and future trends in infrastructure developments, you may be interested in reading:
● What is the best alternative fuel for heavy-duty trucks?
● Different routes to a fossil fuel-free future for trucks
● 7 common questions about hydrogen trucks
