Charging points and hydrogen refuelling stations for Europe's motorways!

The European Commission has agreed on providing at least one rapid charging station for electric cars every 60 kilometres along the main motorways by the end of 2027. Payment at charging points will also become easier and more transparent, for example through debit or credit card payments.

In addition, the European Parliament has decided that by 2030 there should be a hydrogen refuelling station for heavy lorries every 200 kilometres along European motorways.

The agreement in principle was reached in the same week that the European Commission resolved a dispute about combustion engines in new cars from 2035. A new European law requires new cars and vans to emit no CO₂ from that year. In practice, this amounts to a ban on combustion engines, intended to push the sector towards electric driving.

The greatest challenge in delivering this plan is adapting the infrastructure, which calls for smart solutions. Member states can submit their own implementation plans. That is understandable, as every country has its own structure, including its road network. Nevertheless, this is a positive step towards more sustainable mobility across Europe.

In a recent interview with BNR Nieuwsradio, MEP and fellow negotiator Caroline Nagtegaal-Van Doorn shared her perspective on implementing the plan.