New goal achieved by the European Union towards electric transition of the automotive sector. The European Parliament has communicated that the National and European Parliament they found one first understanding for implementation on the trans-European road transport network (Ten-T) Of electric charging stations and hydrogen for cars and heavy vehicles. The latest generation charging stations for electric cars will need to be installed every 60 kilometers by 2026 on major road networks. For the trucks and buses the charging stations will, however, have to be every 120 kilometers by 2028. The distribution plants of thehydrogen will need to be installed every 200 kilometers by 2031.
"The new rules will contribute to the deployment of new infrastructure for alternative fuels without further delays and will ensure that the use and refueling of new generation cars is just as simple and convenient as for petrol vehicles" commented the EP rapporteur, the German socialist Ismail Ertug.
Charging power of at least 400 kW
Electric charging stations will have to meet certain standards. Since 2026 the columns for recharging the auto they must have one power of at least 400 kW which would allow the simultaneous charging of up to five vehicles. From the 2028instead, the power will increase to 600 kW. For trucks and buses, the stations will be installed on half of the Ten-T roads by 2028 and with an output from 1400kW to 2800kW depending on the street.
The agreement requires countries to submit mandatory minimum national targets for the construction of infrastructures in order to achieve the indicated objectives. It is possible too submit exceptions for more isolated, disadvantaged territories, islands and on roads with little traffic. Now the procedure for the final approval will start. There proposal must first be examined and approved by the ambassadors of the 27 and subsequently passed by the Council, by the Transport Commission and finally confirmed by the plenary of the European Parliament.
The agreement also requires that users of alternative fuel vehicles should be able to pay easily and conveniently at top-up or refueling points (with payment cards, contactless devices or, in some cases, using a QR code). The price of fuels will have to be displayed per kWh, per minute/session or per kg and be “reasonable, easily and clearly comparable, transparent and non-discriminatory”. The Commission also intends set up a European database on alternative fuels by 2027 to provide consumers with information on availability, waiting times or prices at different stations.
The situation in Italy
The "anxiety" of recharging was one of the major problems in the diffusion of electric cars. Now the obligatory requirement for electric service stations every 60 km will allow for a greater diffusion of the purchase and use of electric cars. L'Italy is still very iback in the installation of electric recharging points in the area (, promising a map of the current situation). Second MOTUS-E, the first association made up of industrial operators, the automotive supply chain, the academic world and opinion movements to create a system and accelerate the change towards electric mobility, in Italy as at 31 January 2023 there are 36.772 charging points. To date, the electric cars pure circulating in Italy they are little more than 170.428. In the first month of the year, full electric registrations fell by 8,7% on 2022 to 3.333 units. A step backwards which confirms the trend in clear contrast with respect to the other major European countries, which instead show a very strong growth in BEV registrations. Cities with more charging stations are Rome and Naples. Recently Enel x Way e Volkswagen Group have presented Ewiva, a joint venture that in the next two years will build 800 stations of recharge throughout Italy.
Green light to e-fuels
The efforts of the European Union therefore continue to achieve the green transition of cars by 2035. Today, in Brussels, the Council will give the green light for the regulation to stop petrol and diesel engines starting from 2035. Among the agreements reached is the one that will still allow theuse of the heat engine as long as it is fed with synthetic fuel (e-fuels) with zero impact. A choice loudly requested by Germany. Passed, on the other hand, Italy's proposal on the use of biofuels.
