The European Union has accelerated its commitment to zero-emission mobility. It has combined immediate infrastructure funding with a decade-long investment strategy to green the aviation and maritime sectors.
The new Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP), valued at $108 billion, is designed to scale the production and use of sustainable alternative fuels by 2035. It will simultaneously support crucial infrastructure development across the continent.
$108 billion goal: 20 million tons of clean fuel
The core of the EU’s strategy is the $108 billion STIP, which seeks to boost the annual production of sustainable aviation and shipping fuels to 20 million tonnes by 2035. This push is projected to deliver significant environmental and economic benefits, including:
• Climate Impact: Reducing up to 200 million tons of CO₂ emissions.
• Economic Growth: Stimulating job creation and bolstering economic resilience.
The plan uses a strategic blend of funding, regulatory mandates (like the ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime regulations), and public-private partnerships to overcome challenges related to feedstock availability, high production costs, and required infrastructure changes.
Immediate Infrastructure Boost: The €600 Million Grant
Complementing the long-term investment plan is the immediate commitment of over €600 million in grants under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF).
The funding is directed toward 70 projects across 24 EU countries to deploy the physical infrastructure needed for zero-emission transport today.
Key infrastructure developments include:
• Electric Charging: Over 3,000 new charging points for light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, including high-power 1 MW outputs for trucks.
• Hydrogen Network: 38 new hydrogen refueling stations for cars, buses, and trucks.
• Ports and Airports: Investments in 24 maritime ports for onshore power supply (OPS) and ammonia/methanol bunkering facilities, alongside the electrification of ground handling services at 16 airports.
Accelerating transition: from regulation to reality
The rapid exhaustion of the AFIF funds, which totaled €2.5 billion since 2021, underscores the high market demand for sustainable transport investment.
As Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas noted, these investments will strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and make the transition to zero-emission mobility easier and more accessible.
This dual strategy—massive long-term investment ($108B) backed by immediate infrastructure grants (€600M)—aims to rapidly convert the EU’s ambitious climate regulations into tangible, working transport networks, ensuring Europe meets its goal of climate neutrality.
