EAFO 4.0
The shift to low-emission transport calls for new alternative fuels. To this end, EAFO 4.0 is the reference website for information about alternative fuels in Europe.
The Green Deal adopted by the European Commission sets a clear objective: by 2050, transport emissions will have to be reduced by 90% compared to 1990. To this end, the transition from the use of fossil fuels for mobility to the use of alternative fuels needs to be accelerated. Production and use of alternative fuels must be ramped up.
The uptake of alternative-fuelled and particularly zero-emission vehicles and the roll-out of a sufficiently dense, widespread network of alternative fuel infrastructure is a key cornerstone of this overall transition to zero-emission alternative fuels. Private vehicle users, market actors, and policymakers alike depend on comprehensive, reliable, targeted, and timely data and information on alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure developments in the EU.
The EU has adopted a broad set of regulatory measures following the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy adopted in 2021. This includes the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) that sets mandatory deployment targets for electric recharging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for the road sector, for shore-side electricity installations and liquified methane refuelling infrastructure for the maritime and inland waterway transport modes, as well as other targets for aviation and rail.
To give decision makers, including cities and regions, the right information, the European Commission launched the European Alternative Fuels Observatory (EAFO). EAFO covers all alternative fuels supply on road, in maritime and inland waterway ports, and for electricity supply to stationary aircraft. It is the go-to website for stakeholders to find data on vehicles and infrastructure, but also on policies, projects, public incentives, and other relevant related topics.
EV charging station in Barcelona. Credit: Manuel Milan, Shutterstock
Running from April 2025 until January 2028, EAFO 4.0 will therefore be 'the' reference point for information about alternative fuels in Europe, where all interested stakeholders and stakeholder groups access reliable data, information, and relevant news items.
The general objective for the phase 4 of EAFO is to ensure additional developments of the portal, focusing on its functionality and user-friendliness, to keep it updated on the overall state of play regarding alternative fuelled vehicles and corresponding infrastructure and ensure that it contains all relevant information as regards to the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of relevant policies.
The development of EAFO 4.0 is a partnership between POLIS Network, FIER Automotive (Lead Partner), SCOPE, E-Mobility Europe, VUB, and Eco-Movement.
Want to keep up with the latest news? Visit the project's website and follow them on LinkedIn.
