Impact Assessment: Review of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation

Introduction

Ricardo (member of WSP) (and in a consortium with TEPR) has been appointed by the European Commission (DG MOVE) to undertake a study to support an Impact Assessment on the review of Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 on the Deployment of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure.

The study will support the Commission in assessing the effectiveness of Regulation (EU) 2023/1804, known as the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), in achieving its objectives, the relevance of its targets in light of evolving market and technological conditions and the broader EU policy priorities and objectives, and its interaction with other EU legislation. It also provides an opportunity to evaluate the administrative burden on Member States and regulated entities, and to consider potential simplifications or adjustments.

The review of the AFIR is required by Article 24(2) of the Regulation. This survey has been designed to cover all of the elements that must be covered by the review, as well as additional elements that are important.

A number of potential problem areas in relation to the implementation of the AFIR have been identified and are presented in the respective section of the survey for feedback. We are seeking your views on the relevance of each of these problem areas, and the associated problem drivers and potential policy measures for addressing each area.

Problem Area A1: Shortcomings in the roll out of recharging points for light-duty vehicles (LDVs; including cars and vans) in road transport
Problem Area A2: Shortcomings in the roll out of recharging points and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs; including trucks, buses/coaches) in road transport
Problem Area B1: Insufficient roll-out of recharging and refuelling infrastructure for shipping (maritime and inland waterways) as well as for electricity supply (OPS) to vessels
Problem Area B2: Insufficient roll-out of recharging and refuelling infrastructure for aviation
Problem Area C: Persistent shortcomings in road transport with regards to user aspects, in particular fair and transparent pricing, the availability of data and interoperability
Problem Area D: Significant administrative burden linked to the national planning and reporting obligations

The survey is structured as follows:

Section 2 includes questions to understand the profile of the respondent;
Section 3 includes question relevant to each of the Problem Areas identified above, including questions asking on input on the current situation and the parameters of the problem identified, followed by questions on the expected contribution, practical implications and costs associated with a set of measures under consideration. The questions ask for both quantitative and qualitative input to support both the analytical and synthesis phases of the study.

In parallel to this survey, the European Commission has launched an open public consultation that is open to the public until 03 August 2026. If you have not already answered this consultation, please follow this link where you will be able to answer more detailed questions directly related to this initiative.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us here at hannah.willetts@wsp.com.