The latest report from the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) provides an up-to-date overview of the transport sectors and identifies priorities for their repair and strengthening within the framework of National Recovery Plans (NRPs), with a strong emphasis on developing the area of electromobility.

The European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) has published a report covering an analysis of the European Union’s (EU) transportation area within the framework of funding National Recovery and Resilience Plan’s (NRRP’s) with sectoral priorities. The report’s authors note that the NRRP’s funds for the transport sector contribute, among other things, to the further development of the nine corridors of the TEN-T (The Trans-European Transport Network) core network, which run through Poland, among others, and are an instrument for coordinating and ensuring consistency and complementarity of infrastructure investments.

The document stresses that the EU’s priorities in the field of transport are determined on the basis of an analysis of EU policy documents, including the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy (SSMS), the Directorate General for Mobility and Transport’s (DG MOVE) strategic plan for 2020-2024, taking into account the content of the EU’s transport and mobility website. Based on an analysis of the EU’s strategic documents, 29 EU transport priorities have been identified, divided into: „sustainable transport,” „smart transport” and „resilient transport.”

The centerpiece of the EU’s reconstruction plan is the so-called Recovery and Resilience Facility (hereafter RRF), with a budget of €723.8 billion in non-repayable support and loans. The TRAN study evaluated 22 of the 27 national recovery and resilience plans approved by an executive decision of the Council of the European Union. The reform programs analyzed include RRF financial contributions of €449.9 billion, of which €291.1 billion in non-repayable support and €158.8 billion in loans. They include:

– 218 financings related to EU priorities under the „sustainable transport” theme, with the largest number of NRRP funds related to the implementation of alternative fuels in road transport.

– 68 financings related to EU priorities under the „intelligent transportation” theme, with 44% of these financings related to the development of information systems.

– 98 financings related to EU priorities under the „resilient transport” theme, and 75% of these funds were related to transport sector management.

Contribution of national reform programs to EU policy priorities

The main objective of the TRAN study is to provide an overview of the contribution of the Reconstruction and Resilience Fund (RFF) to the EU’s policy priorities for the smart and green transformation of the transport sector.

The total number of measures planned under the „sustainable transport” theme is 56% of all identified transport sector measures. 21 of the 22 (a total of 89% of the measures) focus on the introduction of alternative fuels in road transport. However, according to the authors, more projects and investments should have been planned for water and rail transport to ensure a sustainable approach to the development of the transport sector. In addition, given the need to reduce the environmental impact of the transportation sector, more could have been done to increase the use of public transportation and make it more sustainable.

On the other hand, the „smart transportation” issue is characterized by a large number of IT projects, including the development of software and IT infrastructure. Smart mobility measures are planned for distribution mainly in road and rail transport, and the contribution to cross-border travel under this theme is insufficient, according to the study’s authors, with only four member states planning projects to support data availability, access and exchange of mobility data. According to the Commission, more projects focusing on promoting data exchange between member states should be launched, as well as more projects under the banner of „smart transportation,” given EU priorities.

The theme of „resilient transportation” is being addressed by 21 of the 22 member states, and most of the measures (75%) are related to the management process. Of the total measures, 71% are related to improving the management of the transport sector and are covered by 19 national reform programs. Measures for governance include the development of transport master plans, strengthening the regulatory framework and reforms related to the sector. However, there are a number of priorities that are not covered by national reform programs or are only a small number of projects, TRAN experts point out.

It is worth pointing out that the contribution of national reform programs to the achievement of TEN-T policy goals and the compatibility of core network corridors varies by member state and transport mode. Countries with more developed transport sector infrastructure networks tend to focus on other priorities and do not use the Reconstruction and Resilience Facility (RRF) to further develop CNC (Core Network Corridors) infrastructure, within their territorial area.

The Commission’s analysis also showed that the planned investments in the transport sector for many member states are similar, and include, for example, the purchase of zero-emission vehicles, the development of a network of charging stations, the implementation of required changes within the framework of environmentally friendly regulations, and the promotion of different types of fuels, including, among others, hydrogen. Proposed solutions often indicate a combination of infrastructure and management measures, or a combination of different infrastructure measures, such as supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicles and simultaneously developing a network of electric vehicle charging stations.

It should be noted that most of the planned measures relate to decision-making (management), including the entry into force of legislation related to the phase-out of the highest-emission vehicles (Cyprus is an example), the analysis of national legislation (Denmark), or the introduction of a legal framework establishing a procedure for determining the energy efficiency and environmental requirements for the purchase of transportation vehicles (Lithuania). Some measures include specific, set targets, such as support for the purchase of 23,500 green transport vehicles and 25 electric buses in Lithuania.

The results of the survey also note that measures to improve the energy efficiency of road transportation include reducing emissions from various types of road transport, if only by updating technical requirements for conventional engines and tires, as well as roadworthiness testing of vehicles to reduce emissions. Total financial contribution (grants and loans) per member state

Source: The future of transportation in the context of the Recovery Plan. Final study 2022

Implementation of alternative fuels in road transport

TRAN experts point out that not all member states are implementing energy efficiency improvement projects in road transportation. Nevertheless, a positive exception is Austria, for example, which is converting 682 buses in service and 2,767 commercial vehicles to zero-emission versions. Belgium, on the other hand, plans to „green” its bus fleet (365 vehicles), invest in public and semi-public charging stations, and adopt a law to reform the taxation of company cars. Croatia will build six hydrogen and 1,300 charging stations, purchase 70 alternative fuel buses (electric and hydrogen) and 2,000 electric vehicles.

Another example of positive change is the previously mentioned Cyprus, which is in the process of installing 1,200 charging stations for electric vehicles and has plans to subsidize the purchase of 5570 e-cars and e-bikes. The Czech Republic plans to establish a 40-kilometer infrastructure network of charging points, build residential infrastructure including 2880 new charging points, help purchase new 4555 zero-emission vehicles for private companies and provide municipalities with 1485 zero-emission vehicles, and build 200 new charging stations.

Denmark, which already has a number of achievements in popularizing zero-emission mobility, is seeking to amend its legislation, in particular by introducing a vehicle registration tax and a lower tax on electricity, in order to make electromobility more dynamic. Estonia plans to approve a legislative act setting out the terms and conditions for granting aid related to the transition to green technologies, and Finland is developing an action plan to reduce emissions from domestic transport by at least 29% by 2025 through the construction of 417 new electric car charging points, 376 new high-voltage chargers and 14 new liquefied biogas (biomethane) refueling points.

France is introducing support for the purchase of „clean” vehicles, dedicated to a population estimated at nearly 130,000 people. Germany is planning more hydrogen and e-mobility projects, with the construction of 400,000 charging points in the coming years. Greece is in the process of building 300 electric vehicle charging points. Italy is planning to roll out 40 hydrogen refueling stations, as well as four hydrogen research projects and changes in regulations for the gas as a fuel. The Italian government also wants to build 13,000 fast charging stations on highways and renew the regional public transport fleet with a zero-emission vehicle.

TRAN’s analysis also includes other countries – Latvia will introduce 21 environmentally friendly streetcars and buses in Riga, while Lithuania is in the process of building a plant to produce gas. In addition, the Lithuanians plan to create 58,420 charging points and 34 stations, purchase 255 intercity electric buses, and set aside funds to buy 23,500 new environmentally friendly vehicles. Luxembourg has plans to introduce 2,600 charging points. Malta wants to support the purchase of 5,600 electric cars and replace 102 urban transport buses with electric ones. Portugal is installing 15,000 new charging stations and buying 145 new zero-emission (electric or hydrogen) buses.

Romania plans to amend legislation to impose higher taxes on the highest-emitting vehicles, and Slovakia intends to introduce new legislation for the long-term promotion of alternative fuels. Slovenia is in the process of installing 482 new electric vehicle charging points, and Spain is revising its legislation on public charging services.

Source: The future of transportation in the context of the Recovery Plan. Final study 2022

Sustainable urban transportation

Sustainable urban transportation includes reducing congestion and emissions in urban areas, promoting the use of public transportation and active forms of transportation, as well as new and innovative forms of transportation. The report’s authors note that 14 of the 22 member states are planning sustainable urban transportation projects. The total number of planned funding measures is 34, including 23 on infrastructure, 10 on management and one on research activities.

As an example, cite Belgium, which plans to improve public transportation in the Wallonia region, including the construction of 6 km of additional public transportation infrastructure for zero-emission cars, 260 intersections with smart traffic signals and 400 intersections with smart traffic lights. Croatia is developing 60 prototype tests for fully autonomous and electric vehicles. Cyprus is creating 62 kilometers of sustainable transportation routes and 645 sustainable transportation-related support facilities. France is building a 100-kilometer lane for public transportation development. Greece will amend regulations for public services, e-mobility and charging points. Italy will build at least 231 kilometers of public transportation infrastructure and upgrade 1,280 kilometers of line segments built at metropolitan hubs and major national links. Latvia plans to „green” the Riga Metropolitan Corridor Transport System to promote competitive rail passenger transport in Riga, will additionally upgrade an 81-kilometer electrified line and purchase seven electric trains. Malta has plans to improve urban mobility solutions, in line with its Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan. Portugal plans to purchase 145 green buses, expand Lisbon’s metro network by 3.7 kilometers, expand Porto’s metro network by 6.7 kilometers, build a light transit line between Odivelas and Lures 13 kilometers, and build a high-speed bus line between Praça do Império and 3.8 kilometers from Praça Albuquerque Mouzinho Porto. Romania is developing a 12.7-kilometer underground transportation network, is in the process of purchasing 2,753 green vehicles, is completing a 1,091-kilometer route for cyclists and is building 13,200 charging points. Slovakia, on the other hand, is introducing a new public transportation law. Slovenia intends to reform the organization of public passenger transportation, and Spain has 305 projects to promote new forms of mobility.

Innovations in smart mobility technology

Innovation in smart mobility technology includes creating an enabling environment for the development of new technologies and services (e.g., the use of artificial intelligence, drones, autonomous vehicles, hyperloop connections, hydrogen-powered aircraft, electric personal air vehicles, electric water transport and „clean” urban logistics) and putting in place all the necessary legislative tools for their validation. In this area, four member states have introduced a total of six measures for these technologies.

TEN-T – the bloodstream of Europe

The TRAN report also notes that the RFF’s second most significant contribution to TEN-T’s trans-European transport network policy will be the further introduction of alternative, „clean” fuels into the road network of member states. This will be the case in Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. As part of the national recovery plans, many of the proposed measures will also include the development of electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen refueling points. Croatia, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain will do so. The Recovery and Resilience Building Facility (RFF) will also allow some countries to finalize the development of their road networks – with new highways planned in Greece, Portugal and Romania.

Recommendations for policy making

The study’s authors also point out – given the goals of the EU’s transport sector – that there are several areas that have not been sufficiently addressed in member states’ national reform programs and where further targeting and investment is needed.

This includes:

• The development of the transportation network from a European perspective, i.e. cross-border projects.
• The need to facilitate the transition to rail and water transport by increasing investment and, where possible, including a cross-border component.
• Multimodal passenger transportation, contributing to the shift from private cars to public transportation.
• Safety and security measures, which have not been sufficiently addressed in national reform programs; it is therefore recommended that measures in this area be increased, especially for those member states with high traffic fatalities.
• Safety and security measures, which have not been sufficiently addressed in national reform programs; it is therefore recommended that measures in this area be increased, especially for those member states with high traffic fatalities.
• Social aspects, such as fair and accessible mobility and working conditions in the transport sector, which are not sufficiently addressed; it is therefore recommended that social aspects be included as a cross-cutting priority for various transport sector measures.
• Measures to „internalize the external costs of transportation,” which would help reduce the carbon footprint.
• A European database that could be further developed to include information on the location and nature of projects and used to monitor the implementation of national reform programs on the ground. The database could be used to monitor a project’s contribution to EU policy goals (various areas, including transportation).

In addition, TRAN experts list areas that have not been prioritized by member states and that need more EU policy focus, including:

• Further developing the public transport system, including cross-border public transport networks and linking it to the use of alternative fuels.
• Better facilitating the transition to rail and water transport.
• Combining implementation measures with support for changing citizens’ behavior to more effectively achieve transportation policy goals, for example by encouraging the use of alternative fuels by private cars and public transport modes.