Strategy for sustainable and smart mobility

In “A European Green Deal”

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On 9 December 2020, the European Commission put forward the Sustainable and smart mobility strategy, outlining the planned steps to transform the EU transport system in line with the ambition of the European Green Deal and the objectives of the EU's Digital Strategy. The mobility strategy is complemented with an action plan listing 82 initiatives in 10 key areas for action (‘flagships’) with concrete measures to be adopted over the next four years.  

The Commission pledges to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels by replacing existing fleets with low- and zero- emission vehicles and increasing the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels. Second, to increase the use of the less polluting modes and shift a substantial part of today’s inland freight carried by road (75%) onto rail and inland waterways. And third, to internalise the external costs.

A set of milestones is to keep the strategy on track. By 2030, the Commission aims to have in Europe at least 30 million zero-emission cars on roads, 100 climate neutral cities, double the high-speed rail traffic (compared to 2015), achieve that scheduled collective travel for journeys under 500 km is carbon neutral, automated mobility is deployed at large scale and zero-emission marine vessels are ready for the market. By 2035, zero-emission large aircraft should be market-ready.

By 2050, the Commission expects that in the EU, nearly all cars, vans, buses and trucks are to be zero-emission, rail freight traffic will double and high-speed rail traffic triple, while the multimodal trans-European transport network (TEN-T) should become fully operational and ensure high-speed connectivity. The use of short sea shipping and inland navigation should increase by 50%. The Commission wants to achieve this by strengthening the existing rules, proposing new legislation and providing support measures and guidance.

The more horizontal areas of action outlined in the strategy target healthy and sustainable interuban and urban mobility; connected and automated mobility; innovation, data and artificial intelligence; reinforcing the transport single market; making mobility fair and just for all; enhancing transport safety and security and safeguarding EU’s global position.

In Parliament, the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) prepared an own-initiative draft report on the strategy, under the lead of Ismail Ertug (S&D, Germany), while the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) is associated (rapporteur: João Pimenta Lopes, GUE/NGL, Portugal). Committees on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and Legal Affairs (JURI) were giving an opinion.

The rapporteur presented his draft report at the TRAN Committee meeting of 10 May, stressing the need for more ambition in various areas, in particular in relation to deployment of zero-emission mobility in road transport, maritime and aviation. He proposed binding targets for public charging infrastructure and that carbon-neutral choices for scheduled collective travel should be available for travels up to 1000 km by 2030. The draft received 828 amendments. The FEMM, ITRE, JURI and ENVI committees have already provided their opinions.

The European Economic and Social Committee adopted its opinion on 27 April 2021 (Rapporteur: Stefan Back, Group I, Sweden; co-rapporteur: Tanja Buzek, Group II, Germany).

The European Committee of the Regions adopted its opinion on 1 July 2021 (Rapporteur: Robert VAN ASTEN, RENEW, The Netherlands).

On 3 June 2021, the Council adopted its conclusions, welcoming the strategy and supporting the Commission’s vision. It invited the Commission to assess, how each measure envisaged in the strategy will ensure that transport modes can best contribute to the achievement of the 2030 and 2050 targets, by also conducting an in-depth examination of the environmental, economic and social impact at Member State level. 

On 14 July 2021, the Commission adopted the 'Fit for 55 package'. Several of the proposals it contains already deliver on what has been announced in the Sustainable and smart mobility strategy.

  • Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), including maritime, aviation and CORSIA as well as a proposal for ETS as own resource
  • Revision of the Energy Tax Directive
  • Amendment to the Renewable Energy Directive to implement the ambition of the new 2030 climate target (RED)
  • Revision of the Directive on deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure
  • Revision of the Regulation setting CO₂ emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles

On 14 December, the Commission published further proposals, targeting greater efficiency and more sustainable travel:

  • Revision of the TEN-T Regulation
  • Revision of the Directive on intelligent transport systems in road transport
  • Communication on the New EU urban mobility framework (non-legislative)
  • New Action Plan: boosting long-distance and cross-border passenger rail (non-legislative)

For further information on the mentioned legislative files, please see the individual wagons in this train.

References:

Author: Monika Kiss, Members' Research Service, legislative-train@europarl.europa.eu

As of 20/10/2024.