The European Commission has announced €352 million in new co-funding for 26 low and zero-emission transport projects across 12 EU member states.
This round of investment will help pay for alternative fuels infrastructure along the trans-European transport network (TEN-T), which aims to create a “sustainable and smart” transport network linking more than 400 European cities with airports, railway stations and other terminals.
The European Commission said the €352 million in Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) funding would help to create 12,000 charging points and 18 hydrogen refuelling stations.
The money will also accelerate the electrification of ground operations at many European airports, including 37 airports in Spain, plus Paris Charles de Gaulle and Nice Cote d’Azur in France.
“These projects will accelerate the creation of the comprehensive network of alternative refuelling infrastructure needed for the widespread use of low-and zero-emission vehicles in all transport modes,” said the commission in a statement.
This new round of funding comes after the commission announced €189 million in grants for alternative fuel projects in March 2023. Support from the EU is coupled with loans or investments from a financial institution for each project.
Transport commissioner Adina Vălean said: “The numerous applications for AFIF funding received underline the transport industry’s interest in pushing ahead with the switch to more sustainable transport – on roads, in the sky and at sea.”
The funding body - Connecting Europe Facility for Transport (CEF Transport) – plans to award €25.8 billion in grants to co-fund TEN-T projects in the current 2021-2027 spending period.
Paloma Aba Garrote, director of the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), added: “The European Union remains committed to endorsing initiatives that enhance the transition to more environmentally friendly modes of transport.
“These projects play a pivotal role in realising the Union's climate objectives, while contributing to economic growth and generating new employment opportunities.”