Europe 'needs new law' to boost energy efficient transport

Date: 12/3/2013

The (EU) European Union should adopt new legislation designed to dramatically increase the number of electric and natural gas vehicles on the Continent's roads, EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas has claimed.

Speaking as part of a ministerial debate on a proposal to force member states to operate a minimum number of green fuel stations, Mr Kallas said that such measures are vital in order to ensure the EU does not fall behind its international counterparts in the race for alternative transport fuels.

"Our competitors Japan, China and the United States are moving towards these targets," he explained.

And while a number of states are said to have voiced concerns over the cost of implementing extensive refuelling networks, Mr Kallas added that a flexible approach from the European Commission and private investment initiatives would pay for the scheme.

"My general idea is that the necessary investment should be done by the private sector," he said.

Posted by Nick Anderson

International Transport News and Sustainable Transport News