Platform’s feedback to the consultation Batteries – modernizing EU rules
The Platform welcomes the proposal for a Battery Regulation and strongly supports the need for modernisation of the existing batteries legislation. It must ensure harmonisation in the internal market and facilitate an accelerated shift to electrified mobility by engaging all parts of the battery supply chain. The regulation must establish proportional and well-designed provisions to enable sustainable battery production, use, and end-of-life management.
Generally, the timeline for the provisions should be well-thought through to ensure robust and harmonised application and enforcement. We need to strike a balance between the need for a quick implementation of the Regulation while ensuring a robust methodologies. Overall, the proposed measures shall promote cleaner, more competitive and more efficient battery manufacturing.
To avoid duplication or overlaps with existing legislation and requirements and limit excessive administrative burden on the nascent battery industry, the Platform sees a need to streamline and align provisions.
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While the Platform believes that the proposed requirement for carbon footprint declarations goes in a positive direction, we are concerned about the measure’s enforceability at the Member State level. Provisions should apply per battery model and manufacturing plant instead of “for each battery model and batch per manufacturing plant.” Rules on enforcement, methodology, and electricity accountability should also be clarified, to ensure:
1. Harmonised enforcement at Member State level and for imported batteries;
2. The use of representative data and supply-chain configurations to ensure comparability of declarations. E.g certification of energy use should reflect real world use of renewable energy and must not rely on purchase of green certificates (Guarantees of Origin).
3. The confidentiality of the declared primary data is respected.
The Platform strongly supports the introduction of rules for the responsible sourcing of raw materials for batteries. Similar due diligence requirements must also be applied as soon as possible to the fossil fuel sector as part of the upcoming horizontal due diligence legislation.
The Platform highlights that economic operators must have sufficient time to adapt to new data sharing requirements. The chosen method, be it battery passport or QR Code, should be streamlined with a focus on a single, innovative, and digital approach. The Commission must identify which data sets are essential to boost the data-sharing economy while ensuring confidentiality.
The Platform welcomes the Regulation’s intention to provide a regulatory framework for the transfer of liability and safety requirements for second-life EV batteries. The current provisions, however, require clarifications as regards access to BMS, conditions for the safe treatment of batteries, property rights protection, as well as ownership of data created by EVs. Moreover, the waste status of batteries is vital: the collection of waste batteries potentially suitable for repurposing should be designed in such a way that a second life business model can develop without creating a free pass for illegal waste transport. In particular, a clear-cut transfer of extended producer responsibility is pivotal to avoiding the risk of illegal export.
On end-of-life management, we welcome the recognition of batteries within a circular economy. Also, the Batteries Regulation now better differentiates between battery chemistries. However, the future regulatory framework should be aligned and consistent with EC 1907/2006 (REACH). To work towards a level playing field, we propose including a deadline for the adoption of equivalent conditions criteria for export of waste batteries to third countries. Minimum recycling conditions outside Europe must be set, including environmental and social criteria.
Guidance Note on "Recharge and Refuel" Flagship un the Member States recovery plans
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Introduction
Last year, the electric car market reached a tipping point in the EU with sales surging to 10,5% on average. However, to meet the EU climate goals and achieve the target of 30 million zero emission vehicles on the road in 2030 set by the EU Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy, steep the acceleration in the sales of electric vehicles (EV), the deployment of EV charging infrastructure and the extension of public transport is necessary. The European Commission has set the objective to reach one million public chargers in 2025 and three million in 2030 and thus the fair contribution of each Member State (MS) towards reaching that target is key.
As part of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the EC strongly encourages Member States to put forward investment and reform plans on the so-called ‘Recharge and Refuel’ flagship. This flagship is identified as one of the areas for investments and reforms with tangible benefits for economy and citizens across the EU[1].
In order to make climate objectives and tap on the benefits of clean and cheap electromobility, it is essential that Member States place a strong focus on the ‘Recharge and Refuel’ flagship in their recovery plans. Both private, commercial and public charging infrastructure for cars and vans as well as public transport infrastructure should absolutely be on top of the agenda, while charging infrastructure for heavy commercial vehicles should also be clearly targeted. The electric truck market, from commercial urban vehicles to long-haul trucks, is expected to ramp up quickly in the next years which means that financing and funding support are necessary to support the rollout of the dedicated charging infrastructure: at the depot, at the distribution centre and at public locations, being it urban areas or along highways.
Given that charging infrastructure is disproportionately concentrated in 4 countries, special attention should be paid to ensure that new stations funded under the NextGenerationEU program are more distributed and that the proper ambitions are expressed in all MS proposals. That is the only way to reach the 3 million target in 2030 and ensure there is a truly pan-European network for all EU citizens.
Overall, the principle of cost-effectiveness should steer the support towards increased electrification of road transport across all vehicle segments. From small vehicles to heavy-duty trucks with long-range transport applications, the battery technology is proven to be the cleanest, most energy-efficient and competitive alternative for the long-term and should therefore be prioritised in the road transport decarbonisation plans of the Member States.
This Guidance Paper provides some recommended elements that Member States should prioritise in their recovery plans and that the EU evaluators should look for in evaluating MS plans. The Platform for Electromobility strongly feels that these elements are key to ensure that the deployments under the RFF meet the needs of EV drivers and public transport users across the EU and to form the necessary trigger for accelerated private investment. It is essential that Member States place a strong focus on the Recharge and Refuel Flagship in their recovery plans and prioritise RRF funds towards charging infrastructure.
To make sure public funds are allocated in the most targeted way, the Platform believes Member States should develop national e-mobility and related infrastructure masterplans, which include ambitious deployment targets for both vehicles and infrastructure and form the basis of the allocation of the public investments. These plans and targets will provide the necessary trigger for private investment.
- All types of locations and all use cases should be targeted
In order to ensure that the Recharge and Refuel Flagship proposals in the Recovery and Resilience Plans submitted by MS achieve the goals laid out by the EC, it is critical that they look broadly at all the opportunities and locations where charging infrastructure and electric road system can be deployed. Investments should also target national EV charging networks for long distance travel. Specific support should also be considered for operators looking to invest in charging deserts. We elaborate on some specifics in the next two points:
- Private, semi-public and public charging
The major growth areas for EV charging are workplace and community locations, including multi-unit buildings and (semi-)public charging in residential neighbourhoods. In many cases, especially shared private facilities, private charging infrastructure performs the same function as public infrastructure, being accessible to multiple users. MS plans must prioritise significant EV infrastructure deployment at these types of locations, based on their national needs’ assessment and ambitions. In this regard, a close collaboration between national and local authorities in developing such plans is key to steer recovery funds towards relevant investments needs for charging infrastructure.
- Develop and modify local building codes to provide specific rules and guidance around the deployment of EV charging infrastructure in new and existing buildings.
- Set a pre-installation requirement of EV charging infrastructures in the design of new buildings and a specific requirement for community infrastructures which enable smart charging.
- Support the “right to plug” so that interested tenants in a building have the standing to request an EV charging station in their building/at their parking space and simplify the administrative procedure for the installation burden is on the municipality or other responsible parties to object, and planning funds are available.
- Address the “first mover” problem by earmarking funds to support the wiring and cabling of the shared/communal portions of new and existing buildings.
- Make public funds available for some private and semi-public charging infrastructure, where it supports a whole group of users (such as employees of a company, vehicles in a depot, tenants of a building, visitors to a building, etc) – i.e. more than just the single owner of the vehicle.
- Destination charging at public parking facilities (e.g. shopping malls, sports facilities, restaurants, hotels, etc.) are essential and should also be supported.
- Do tendering processes in a way to support open markets and optimal service delivery and ensure the best companies for installing and operating EV charging infrastructure are selected through a fair and competitive process.
- Take into account the extension of public transport infrastructure (e.g. for electric buses) in MS plans.
- Dedicated focus on electric trucks, which yield the greatest synergies
Fully electric heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) are very much a reality and already driving on European roads. The number of these will rise quickly in the years to come. Member States must plan for this by deploying the proper infrastructure.
By planning for the growth of the battery electric vehicles (BEV) HDV’s, Member States can also generate the greatest infrastructure synergies, as in some cases these hubs can support a range of high and lower power users.
- Funds should be used to encourage the creation of high-powered charging hubs to support HDVs and other users should be planned and developed on main roads and highways, at rest areas, near off/on ramps around logistics hubs, and at depots
- Funds and plans must consider the state of the electricity grid and the need to either extend or upgrade it or provide options for local onsite generation from renewable energy sources coupled with onsite storage.
- Grid capacity should be factored in decisions to build or upgrade a truck resting area to facilitate such high-power charging (e.g. megawatt chargers). This could help lower deployment costs and accelerate grid readiness for e-trucks to come.
- Deployment and investment decisions should be based on data and real conditions
Proper planning for charger deployment and (possible) grid improvements require data to inform those decisions. Data on existing charging stations and grid conditions should be made promptly available (to municipal, regional authorities and relevant industry actors).
- To prepare such a plan properly, data is needed to understand the situation now, needs and gaps
- Funds must be made available to support MS in gathering this data.
- The capacity building of grid operators to be part of local infrastructure planning should be enlarged. The process of involving DSOs could include municipal, regional and highway charging infrastructure planning, the development of best location-plans with information on grid capacity and reinforcement needs, with information on costs being made available to all relevant industry actors directly involved in establishing the business case of the operation of the infrastructure, while respecting all data privacy requirements.
- For proper infrastructure deployment planning purposes, data is needed to map:
- Current infrastructure (in Charge Point Equivalent terms)
- Geographic coverage and gaps
- Available power levels
- Accessibility of stations
- Grid capacity (overall and at precise locations)
- The grids should be prepared for increased EV integration
The MS plans should require distribution grid connections and available capacity to be future proof, by defining minimum standards which will be necessary for the upgrading and the extension of the infrastructure network, both in urban and rural areas.
- Grid capacity upgrade support should be factored into decisions to build hub areas, commercial parking spots, or resting areas to facilitate high power charging. This could help lower deployment costs and accelerate grid readiness for different types of vehicles, from ride-hailing vehicles to e-trucks.
- Sufficient tools should be given to distribution network operators to operate the grid in the smartest way possible; time-varying network tariffs aimed at shifting EV network use away from peak hours in order to reduce the need for grid reinforcement for example can help to address grid capacity or congestion challenges at particular locations.
- Interoperable infrastructure should be embedded and roaming enabled
The adoption of open, non-discriminatory and interoperable communication standards in EV charging infrastructure as a key requirement is fundamental to facilitating a seamless charging experience for the driver across national EV charging networks, but also across borders.
Publicly accessible charging infrastructure at commercial or public locations should never be locked into an equipment or network provider, either commercially or technically. Any publicly financed charging stations under the RRF should therefore require open protocols and standards for the backend communications and for enabling smooth roaming. This will help to encourage and accelerate the uptake of EVs and address availability concerns by EV drivers.
At the same time supporting infrastructure that enables roaming on publicly accessible charging stations will allow drivers to charge at stations belonging to the network of another operator (not their “home” operator) with a single subscription provided by a mobility service provider. This applies both within and across national borders. The MS recovery plans should therefore steer eligible publicly accessible charging stations to require the use of the open, roaming communication protocols to facilitate roaming agreements.
- Smart-charging should be future-proof
EVs could help realising the EU’s renewable energy objectives by increasing the share of RES in the network through smart charging. Future charging stations should be prepared to deliver a basic level of smart charging services, e.g through load balancing and time of use, in particular in regard to private charging at home and/or in residential areas when there is not possibility for EV users to install a charger in the building. It will be important to work towards a situation in which smart and bi-directional charging are standards applied in practice in the coming years. The plans should therefore include smart charging incentives:
- Incentives should focus on supporting the business case for smart charging, for instance by facilitating variable time-based pricing policy, but not prescribe technical means to achieve this additional capability. These facilitating measures should focus on increasing the willingness of consumers and their ability to participate in smart charging.
- Support could also cover the risks in business cases of market parties in the roll-out and/or the operation of smart- or bi-directional charging infrastructure.
- Support should be steered towards future innovations, such as smart charging and state of the art system integration technologies, including vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability.
[1] European Commission (2020), EU Recovery and Resilience Facility: https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/recovery-coronavirus/recovery-and-resilience-facility_en
Platform comments the EU Renewable Energy Directive in light of the EU Green Deal
In the past years, electricity-based transport technologies, such as electric vehicles (EVs), have significantly developed and decreased in cost. These technological improvements and demonstrated benefits of electrification call for an improvement of the sectoral target for renewable energy in transport to better reflect the positive environmental contribution of electric transport, as part of the envisaged reopening of the Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001 (RED II). In parallel, EU Member states’ National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs)’ pledges show prospects for an accelerated deployment of renewables in the energy mix, and in particular in the electricity system, supporting the decarbonisation of transport along the full lifecycle of the fuel.
While many studies have demonstrated the scope for an increased volume of renewables in transport[1], it is critical that the Renewable Energy Directive’s framework for renewables in transport is revised to accelerate the electrification of the transport sector with renewable electricity generation.
The Platform therefore recommends introducing an obligation for Member states to introduce fuel-neutral credit trading mechanisms as a mean for obligated fuel suppliers to account for renewable energy used in transport.
The implementation of the RED II, which all Member states (MS) are required to transpose by June 2021, offers a great opportunity to accelerate EV uptake and the efficient penetration of renewable electricity in the transport sector. Yet, most MS and their national policies on renewable transport fuels still do not allow electromobility to contribute to the achievement of the RES-T target[2]. Most national policies still implement the RED II by means of a blending mandate imposed on the obligated parties, i.e the fuel suppliers. Yet, renewable electricity is not a drop-in fuel that can be blended and is not properly accounted in RES-T targets, creating a missed opportunity to properly reflect the decarbonisation of transport and creating a missed level playing field.
The introduction of fuel-neutral credit trading mechanisms could support the adaptation of the RED II framework to the accelerated electrification of transport.
Fuel-neutral credit trading mechanisms consists in requiring obligated parties to meet their renewable energy obligation by means of fuel-neutral credits, accounted in energy equivalent (kWh, KJ, Gcal or other). In parallel, fuel-neutral credits are allocated by a public authority to defined parties for each energy unit of renewable fuel used in transport. As for electricity, various possibilities exist concerning the party entitled to receive credits (charging station operator, electricity supplier, etc.). Obligated parties can then either acquire fuel-neutral credits by increasing blending in their fuel supply or by procuring credits from third parties through a dedicated platform. Such schemes have already been introduced in the Netherlands, in Germany, in California and in France, and are being elaborated in Canada[3]. The Platform believes credit revenues shall be used as a leverage to support electromobility in Member States.
Electricity credit mechanisms represent a low hanging fruit that could adequately value the contribution of renewable-based electromobility to the decarbonisation of transport. Importantly, they would also generate resources for the diversity of players in the electromobility sector without weighing on state budgets. For instance, credit revenues could support charging point operators to improve the business case of charging infrastructure and – as a result – accelerate the roll-out of the millions of chargers needed and help the EU reach its objective of establishing 1 million charging points by 2025, as set out by the European Commission in its European Green Deal communication[4].
Further, future credit trading mechanisms should follow the specific principles below, subject to implementation in Member states:
Fuel neutral credits should be granted for the renewable share of the electricity used in EVs, calculated on the basis of the share of renewable electricity in the national mix as close as possible to real-time.
This would incentivize for a better real-time match between the renewable generation and EV charging.
Future credit mechanisms should allow for the accounting of 100% renewable electricity used in transport.
As a principle and as specified in article 27 of the RED II, fuel neutral credits should be granted for the renewable share of the electricity used in EVs, calculated on the basis of the share of renewable electricity in the national mix in the previous maximum two-year period. Yet, Member states should also allow for the accounting of 100% renewable electricity supply to transport, such as electricity supplied through a direct connection to a renewable energy generator or via an innovative supply contract such as Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
It should also be assessed how future credit mechanisms could account for the renewable kWhs charged at home or in the workplace
As most kWhs used by EVs will be charged at home or in the workplace and not at public chargers, it should also be assessed how future credit mechanisms could account for the renewable kWhs charged at home or in the workplace, which will also enable to maximize the share of electrons captured.
[1] Among other studies: 17% of final energy demand in transport will be renewable by 2030 (in final energy demand, without multipliers or subtargets) according to SolarPower Europe (2020). 100% Renewable Energy Europe
[2] Transport & Environment (2019) Using Renewable electricity in the Renewable Energy Directive
[3] On the Dutch, German and Californian example, see Transport & Environment (2019) Using Renewable electricity in the Renewable Energy Directive.
The government of Canada is considering establishing a clean fuel standard that will count and credit clean electricity used. Networked charging operators (including utilities operating charging) and, in its 2018 Proposed Regulatory Approach, proposed that automakers be able to participate using vehicle telematics in the crediting system and market. Canada’s program is expected to start in 2022. For further information: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/documents/lcfs-electricity-and-hydrogen-provisions
https://www.emissionsauthority.nl/topics/themes/energy-for-transport
The French government is designing a crediting system too as part of the revision of its 2021 budget bill, in current article 15. For more information, see http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/dyn/15/textes/l15b3360_projet-loi
[4] https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/european-green-deal-communication_en.pdf
An ambitious revision of the AFID consistent with the EU Green Deal
Key recommendations
The Platform for Electromobility calls for an ambitious revision of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (2014/94/EU, AFI) consistent with the EU Green Deal
February 2021
An ambitious revision of the AFID is vital to accompany and boost the electrification of transport and reduce GHG emissions as requested by the EU Green Deal and the EU Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy. The current AFI Directive was adopted at a time the market for alternative fuels was still an emerging market. Europe must now equip itself with the right public and private charging infrastructure to support the surge of electric vehicles (EVs) and the transition to a zero-emission mobility.
In this context, the Platform for Electromobility calls for:
EXTENDING THE SCOPE OF THE DIRECTIVE
Given the EC’s goal to reduce EU GHG emissions by 55% by 2030, the revised AFID must incentivise the uptake of low and zero emission vehicles.
Key actions:
• Prioritise the electrification of transport as the most effective and efficient pathway compatible with the objectives of the EU Green Deal and the decarbonisation of mobility. In particular, the Platform underlines that the decarbonisation of the transport sector cannot be achieved with the fossil fuels still supported in the current AFID.
• Set minimum mandatory targets for the availability of recharging points in all public parking facilities from 2025 (e.g. supermarkets, shopping malls, car park operators etc.).
• Introduce an updated definition of charging points based on their power levels to the existing one, i.e. ultra-fast (≥150 kW) and fast charging (22-150 kW). Criteria for minimal requirements should embrace the number of points, charging power, ratio to the number of EVs. The market should decide the most useful power level to apply.
• Apply the revised directive also to charging infrastructure for Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDVs) (trucks and buses), electric charging for two wheelers and rail infrastructure. For HDVs, the specific charging needs of electric trucks should be addressed by introducing requirements for the roll-out of public charging infrastructure and electric road system for electric heavy-duty commercial vehicles (vans and trucks) in medium and large urban areas by 2025, as well as along the TEN-T Core Network.
• Require Member States to propose to the EC a decarbonisation strategy for their rail system, identifying the alternative fuels that they intend to make available on the parts of their network that are neither electrified nor mandated to be electrified under an existing EU regulation. In particular, MS should include in their strategy a plan to replace current refueling facilities as defined in point 2.(i) of Annex II of the Directive 2012/34/UE “Recast”.
• Revise consistently the AFID and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2010/31/EU, EPBD) to ensure the same level of ambitions in both texts. The way article 8 of the EPBD imposes an obligation for the deployment of charging infrastructures in non-residential buildings may have an impact on publicly accessible charging infrastructure since some non-residential buildings are open to the public such as malls. Besides, the EPBD should address the issue of private charging in all types of buildings as it is also important for the development of electromobility.
SETTING MINIMUM BINDING TARGETS for the deployment of publicly accessible charging infrastructure
Key actions:
• Introduce minimum binding targets per Member States on the number of public chargers deployed per type of transport (Light Duty Vehicles, Heavy Duty Vehicles) starting in 2025. Minimum binding targets should also be set for the deployment of charging infrastructure for airport infrastructure for ground movements and onshore power supply or boat ‘refuelling’ in maritime and inland ports.
• Develop an EU methodology to set the binding targets introducing penalties in case targets are not satisfied. These targets should ensure that – at the minimum – the EU objective of 1 million public chargers in 2025 and 3 million in 2030 are reached. The penalties of each MS should be reinvested at national level for zero-emission mobility measures (like funds for electric infrastructures, public subsidies for EV uptake in favour of citizens or businesses like purchasing aid or fiscal measures etc.).
• Establish a new bottom-up EU metric considering the charger power level of charging points, the number of EVs, assessing locally the right geographical coverage of infrastructure (via geographic, traffic and density criteria) and including the level of access to a private charging infrastructure. Given that two thirds of cars are parked overnight on the street (or public car parks), EV users living in condominiums, in particular, should be able to benefit from a public charging point in their residential area when it is not possible to install a charger in their building.
• Empower local authorities to take clearer and simpler administrative procedures to install public charging infrastructure.
• Request Member States to decarbonise the non-TEN-T part of the rail network, through further electrification, where economically feasible, or through battery and hydrogen powered trains.
ENSURING CONSISTENCY between the AFID and the TEN-T Core and Comprehensive Networks
The EC should revise the TEN-T guidelines in line with the requirements of the revised AFID.
Key actions:
• Make the minimum target of one charging point/60 km mandatory, as defined in the TEN-T Core Network for both TEN-T Core and Comprehensive Networks by 2025 to make the EVs convenient for long road journeys and ensure the coverage of the TEN-T Networks with ultra-fast chargers, including urban fast charging hubs.
• Align the TEN-T high-power recharging infrastructure requirements with the electricity development plans.
• Focus on the part of the main line rail network which is not part of the TEN-T as well as nodes on the Core and Comprehensive networks (ports, multimodal terminals for example).
DEVELOPING SMART CHARGING
The Platform emphasises the capacity, in general, of electricity system operators to integrate EVs even with an ambitious target for 20301. However, in some places of Europe this would require the adoption of smart-charging
1 In France, the French DSO Enedis has concluded in a report that the needed investment to integrate EVs into their grids will only represent 10% of their total investment by 2030 (cf. Enedis, Report on the integration of electric mobility in the public electricity distribution network, November 2019)
strategies to optimise network investment and, potentially, reduce the need for grid reinforcement. The Platform underlines that smart charging should be developed in accordance with the evolution of mobility needs of EV users and with their consent.
Key actions:
• Introduce a definition of “smart charging” as charging of an EV which facilitates the security (reliability) of electricity supply while meeting the mobility needs of the user. The definition should serve as basis and be referred to in other legislations. It should be coherent with already existing legislations supporting the integration of EVs in the power system (e.g. electricity regulations on the role of DSOs).
• Ensure that publicly accessible normal charging points (<22 kW) installed from now on are smart and future proof. This requirement should specifically apply in residential areas and cities where people may have limited access to private charging points.
GUARANTEEING INTEROPERABILITY via a user-centric approach
The electricity charging infrastructure should be interoperable to provide seamless EV charging experience to the users through the use of open and compatible standards and open and shared data on information, location and availability of chargers as well as price transparency to deliver more intelligent services such as smart charging, roaming of service and common ad-hoc payments (at least at national level). The EC should provide a harmonised framework for product and security requirements for charging and data exchange at the different interfaces without excluding technology already in the market.
Key actions:
• Put in place interoperability principles for the operation of various technical standards and protocols on the market to promote a competitive market environment and improve user experience.
ENSURING A STRONG IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DIRECTIVE
To ensure the rapid and strict implementation of the binding targets and provisions set in the revised AFID, the EC should tighten the EU monitoring and further involve the local level.
Key actions:
Consult with local authorities and distribution system operators when developing National Policy Frameworks or strategies to implement them.
• Create independent national reporting authorities within Member States (such as National Energy Agencies) in order to strengthen EU monitoring of the implementation Member States’ target.
,
• Turn the AFI Directive into an ad-hoc EU Regulation for road transport infrastructure to ensure a strong, rapid and more uniform implementation in all Member States. However, considering other modes of transport (inland waterways, maritime transport) for which alternative fuels are less mature, the directive should remain the preferred regulatory tool.
Platform for Electromobility reaction to the revision of the European Batteries Directive
10 December 2020
Read our full paper here:
Platform for Electromobility reaction to the revision of the European Batteries Directive_v1_Final
The Platform for Electromobility – representing 39 industrial, urban and environmental stakeholders from across Europe’s e-mobility value chain – welcomes the Commission’s long-awaited publication of their proposal for new European rules for batteries as presented today.
This comprehensive legislation will be key to ensuring batteries on the European market are both produced in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner, while at the same time, putting the EU firmly on track to meet to achieving its 2050 climate-neutrality and industrial leadership ambitions as set out by the Strategic Action Plan on Batteries. The revision of the current legislative framework has the potential to provide further regulatory support and clarity for the European battery manufacturing and recycling industries by establishing legislative measures capable of increasing the continent’s competitiveness in the booming e-mobility sector. Specifically, the the whole objective of the proposal should create the legal conditions and incentives for a domestic, competitive, high-quality battery market to emerge in Europe, with true business cases for battery end of life management and environmentally sound recycling, which can help accelerate the EU’s transition to zero emissions.
Batteries will underpin Europe’s drive to climate neutral economy and zero-emission transport. In this context, we urge policymakers to keep the following in mind as the Commission proposal is debated in the European Parliament and Council:
1. Ensure comprehensive due diligence requirements – from sourcing, to refining and manufacturing – are supported at EU level so that the battery industry can bring social and environmental value along the entire value chain;
2. Develop a robust EU carbon footprint methodology addressing all batteries chemistries and covering all key emission hotspots/phases;
3. Pave the way for an effective, net-value circular economy strategy capable of treating developing waste volumes and meeting the needs of a fast-paced, innovative industry such as e-mobility.
4. Avoid batteries are not lost once they hit the market via an improved (end-of-life) declaration system;
5. Provide a consistent regulatory framework for 2nd life options of EV batteries.
As EV sales begin to take off in Europe, the future success of the EU’s ability to remain competitive with the rest of the world will be heavily dependent on the ability to domestically develop batteries at larger scale in order to meet EV demand and help accelerate the transition to e-mobility. Only with clear rules and high standards can Europe fully reap the benefits of a home-grown battery industry, bringing economic value, jobs and long-term growth as a part of the e-mobility transition.
Jayson Dong, Chair of the Batteries Working Group in the Platform for Electromobility, added that “this piece of legislation will be key to supporting a thriving European e-mobility ecosystem. It will play a key role in delivering on the innovation, sustainability and competitiveness ambitions of the 2017 launched European Battery Alliance and working towards the EU’s Green Deal roadmap. The Platform for Electromobility looks forward to engaging with all relevant EU decisionmakers on this file and sharing our wealth of expertise to ensure the EU becomes a leader in the manufacturing of innovative and sustainable EV batteries.”
For more information about the Platform and our detailed position on the revision of the Batteries Directive, please find our paper on our website here.
Input to Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy
Electromobility is the best solution to achieve the climate and industrial ambition of the European Green Deal for transport. The Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy will present the European Commission’s new vision on mobility for the upcoming years and must thus set a long-term and ambitious policy framework and support the further electrification of all modes of transport. It needs particularly to support the roll-out of an accessible charging infrastructure network for all modes of transport. The urgent revision of the TEN-T guidelines and AFI Directive for road and rail must occur without any delay and will ensure the decarbonisation of both modes of transports. The revision of the AFI Directive must be ambitious and should clearly set minimum binding targets per the Member States and type of vehicles (LDVs and HDVs) for the deployment of charging infrastructure for low- and zero emission transport technologies in order to reach the 2050 climate neutrality objective.
Smart charging, and demand-side resources (i.e. vehicle to grid) will therefore constitute a key enabler to strengthen future synergies between transport, digital, and energy sectors, supporting Europe’s energy transition and fostering technological innovation. In line with the Energy System Integration Strategy, the Platform for Electro-Mobility recommends that EU and Member States’ policy-makers encourage and develop policies in support of these innovative system integration technologies to unlock all the benefits it can deliver to the electricity system and to society at large. The European Commission must also make sure that the synergies between energy and mobility are maximised with adequate financial cross-sectoral schemes. Funding and support for electrical upgrades (within buildings as well as grid connections) necessary to install charging equipment should also be made available to consumers, for instance through the upcoming Renovation Wave initiative, and namely through the revision of European Performance of Buildings Directive. Support for zero emission mobility will address the behavioural changes and answer the growing demand. Therefore, it would be important for the Commission to shape regulations to drive affordable supply of EV models and design mechanisms to enhance the consumers’ uptake of electro-mobility innovations and ensure social inclusion of lower income households. The corporate market is a clear lead market for electrification and the strategy should include mechanisms to require more and more fleets such as company cars, taxis and delivery vehicles to electrify and support companies towards this goal. It is also key to rebalance the modal shares with a view to encouraging a greater use of energy-efficient modes with the highest electrification rates such as rail as well as measures to ensure the modal shift to rail.
The Battery Directive will be key to create a sustainable environment and should provide conditions for the EU to become more competitive. The new strategy should also support innovative and competitive business models for the second life and recycling of EV batteries. The Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy should recognise the vital role of businesses in stimulating the EV market and providing EV charging to help make e-mobility a more affordable and viable option for citizens across the EU.
New mobility zero emission shared services alongside public transport (bus, rail, tram and metros) have a key part to play in the electrification of urban transport. In cities, the development of a sustainable and efficient urban freight, with a focus on zero emissions trucks as well as last-mile delivery services, are long-term solutions which need to be stimulated. Furthermore, taxation is a central driver for the decarbonisation of transport, and it is essential that the EU’s taxation rules are aligned with its decarbonisation commitment. Specifically, the revision of the Eurovignette and the Energy Taxation Directivesis a chance to build a future-proof taxation policy, adapting to a modern and decarbonised economy while accompanying the uptake of electromobility by integrating a CO2 component.
The Platform for Electro-mobility unites organisations from across civil society, industries, cities and transport modes. Its members are committed to promote electro-mobility and strive to collectively develop solutions to electrify European transport, and to promote those solutions to the EU institutions and Member States. The Platform is working to create a sustainable, multimodal transport system in which people and goods are predominantly moved across land in Europe using sustainable electricity. The aim of the Platform is to drive the development and implementation of sustainable European Union policies, programmes and initiatives to move people and goods by electricity https://www.platformelectromobility.eu.
