Log in
Search
Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation
The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) establishes a common framework of measures for the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure in the Union in order to minimize dependence on oil and to mitigate the environmental impact of transport by supporting the uptake of alternative fuels in the transport sector.
Under the Fit for 55 package, the European Commission in July 2021 proposed a revision of the directive, upgrading it into a regulation. This makes the targets binding and directly applicable in all Member States.
The Regulation, adopted by the co-legislators in September 2023 sets out minimum requirements for the building-up of alternative fuels infrastructure, including recharging points for electric vehicles and refuelling points for hydrogen and liquefied methane, to be implemented by means of Member States' national policy frameworks, as well as common technical specifications for such recharging and refuelling points, and user information requirements.
Article 2 defines ‘alternative fuels’ as fuels or power sources which serve, at least partly, as a substitute for fossil oil sources in the energy supply to transport and which have the potential to contribute to its decarbonisation and enhance the environmental performance of the transport sector. They include, inter alia, hydrogen.
Articles 6 and 7 detail the requirements for the deployment of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure:
- One Hydrogen Refuelling Station (HRS) every 200km on the TEN-T Core network by the end of 2030. HRS along the network must be designed for a cumulative daily capacity of one tonne, with at least a 700bar dispenser.
- At least one tonne per day of hydrogen in every urban node by the end of 2030.
- Member States to set out a clear deployment trajectory that includes an indicative target for 2027 that is in line with market demand and ensures sufficient coverage.
- Daily capacity of HRS can be halved on roads whose average daily heavy-duty traffic is below 2000 vehicles and in case of justified socio-economic cost-benefit terms. Outermost regions and islands can also be exempted under certain conditions.
By December 2024, the European Commission will prepare a market and technology readiness report (also covering demand for liquid hydrogen) and assess the need to adjust the abovementioned targets.
Article 12 on targets for the electricity supply to stationary aircraft mandates that, from 1st January 2030, electricity must come from the grid or generated on site without using fossil fuels. The new article 12(a) obliges Member States to assess the use of alternative fuels in the rail sector where existing networks cannot be fully electrified.
Article 13 on National Policy Frameworks includes the deployment of hydrogen and ammonia refuelling infrastructure in maritime ports as well as the deployment of HRS in inland waterway ports under the mandatory reporting list. The final NPF document must be submitted before 1st January 2026.
A review of the Regulation is to happen by 31st December 2026, also including an assessment of article 6 targets and derogations.
Annex II contains technical specifications for hydrogen supply for road transport and additionally lays down that:
- Outdoor hydrogen refuelling points dispensing gaseous hydrogen used as fuel on board motor vehicles shall comply at least with the interoperability requirements described in standard EN17127:2020.
- The quality characteristics of hydrogen dispensed by hydrogen refuelling points for motor vehicles shall comply with the requirements described in standard EN 17124:2022.
- The fuelling algorithm shall comply with the requirements of EN17127:2020.
- Once concluded, the processes of certification of standard EN ISO 17268:2020, connectors for motor vehicles for the refuelling of gaseous hydrogen shall comply at least with this standard.
Additionally, the regulation establishes stricter rules on the operators of refuelling points, who must provide full information transparency regarding fuel prices, displaying the ad hoc price per kg.
What's in it for hydrogen?
This regulation recognises hydrogen as a key alternative fuel with a potential for long-term fossil fuel substitution. It further sets out the legal framework and mandatory minimums for hydrogen refuelling stations for road transport, the lack of which contributes to the limited penetration of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the EU market. The framework ensures refuelling certainty and, as such, lays the foundation for the scale up of hydrogen powered mobility.
Links to the original document and additional information:
Proposal for a Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure
Regulation (2023/1804) on the deployment of Alternative Fuel Infrastructure
