IRU, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and T&E urge the European Commission to ensure continuity of EU funding for heavy-duty vehicle charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, warning that a break in support in 2026–2027 would risk slowing the deployment of zero-emission vehicles
In a joint letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, IRU, ACEA and T&E – representing road transport operators, vehicle manufacturers and civil society – call for urgent action to prevent a funding gap following the exhaustion of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF).
Created as part of the CEF Transport programme’s support for alternative fuels infrastructure, AFIF has enabled around €3 billion of investment in projects across the EU. This made possible the critical expansion of infrastructure networks across the EU. Current Brussels discussions point to a possible break in support in 2026–2027.
Without a dedicated successor instrument foreseen before the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework begins in 2028, the deployment of charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles risks losing momentum. This comes at a time when zero-emission trucks are entering the market and investments are scaling up across the value chain. (....)