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To support the transition to cleaner, greener, and smarter mobility, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, the European Commission adopted on 14 December four new proposals to modernise the EU’s transport system. Among the proposed actions by the Commission is the aim to increase connectivity, further support the roll-out of alternative fuels infrastructure, and new digital technologies, including intelligent services. According to the European Commission, “by placing a stronger focus on sustainable urban mobility, and by making it easier to choose different transport options in an efficient multimodal transport system, the proposals will put the transport sector on track to cutting its emissions by 90%” by 2050.  

The new Urban Mobility Framework aims at benefiting transport users and all the people around them,  and sets out European guidance on how cities can cut emissions and improve mobility, including via Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans. The main focus will be on public transport, walking and cycling, but also zero-emission solutions for urban fleets, including taxis and ride-hailing services, the last mile of urban deliveries, and the construction and modernisation of multimodal hubs, as well as new digital solutions and services.  

The European automotive suppliers design and manufacture all of the components and systems that are needed to achieve the ambitious goals for road transport, to make mobility safe, smart, and sustainable. CLEPA members are key innovators and advocate for a transformation that is technology-open, effective, and efficient.  

Investments in recharging and refueling infrastructures for electric and hydrogen vehicles are an important element to make the green transition happen, but sustainable renewable fuels should also play their part, especially in regard to addressing emissions from the existing fleet of vehicles. 

CLEPA members are solution providers and are heavily investing in green and automated solutions to tackle the challenges European cities are currently facing. ZF, for example, has been awarded the top prize at the CLEPA Innovation Awards 20201 for their creation of zero-emission autonomous shuttles, which improve the quality of urban transport together with the quality of life in cities.  

As next steps, the Commission’s proposal maps out the funding options for local and regional authorities to implement these priorities. In 2022, the Commission will propose a Recommendation to EU Member States for the development of national plans to assist cities in developing their mobility plans. New requirements will also be put in place for the largest 424 EU cities on the TEN-T network to adopt a sustainable urban mobility plan (SUMP) and collect relevant data. 

 The framework proposed by the European Commission has the objective of creating a network of climate-neutral cities. Concretely, energy efficiency and zero-emissions solutions are intended to be identified to move towards environmentally friendly urban logistics. This will be done with obligations on implementing the recharging and refueling infrastructure for electric and hydrogen vehicles (financed with dedicated funding). This is directly related to the implementation of a zero-emission city freight logistics and last-mile deliveries, done via the integration of sustainable urban logistics plans within the Sustainable Urban Logistic Plans (SULP) framework.

The Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans framework will also include, in Q1 2022, a guidance on passenger transport-on-demand aiming at making the sector more sustainable. Moreover, the EC, in 2022, will commission a study to identify which digital solutions would be available to enable more efficient low-emission zones and other types of urban vehicle access regulation (more information available here).

Source: European Commission