National programme for a distribution network for alternative transport fuels

On 26 January, the Government adopted Finland’s national programme for a distribution network for alternative transport fuels for 2017–2030. The programme sets national targets for the use of different transport fuels, the numbers of cars using alternative fuels as well as a distribution network for alternative fuels.

The programme is part of the national implementation of the directive of the European Parliament and the Council on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure. Next the programme will be sent to the European Commission for assessment. The directive entered into force in October 2014.

Finland's national target for road transport in 2050 is near-zero emissions. It is proposed in the programme that by 2030 all new cars sold in Finland are compatible with some type of alternative fuel, such as electricity, hydrogen, natural gas, biogas or liquid biofuels even in high concentrations.

According to the programme, there should be at least 2,000 public recharging points by 2020 and 25,000 by 2030. Public recharging points are accessible to the public and any consumer can use them. The purpose of a network of public recharging points is to make it possible to drive electric cars even over longer distances. Recharging points in collective parking lots, such as in apartment blocks and offices, are usually not accessible to the public.

There would be around 50 refuelling points for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and biogas by 2020 and around 20 refuelling points for hydrogen by 2030.

The target for shipping is a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as a result of LNG and biofuel use and other measures. In aviation, the target would be to bring the share of renewable or other emission-reducing solutions up to at least 40% by 2050.

It is proposed in the national programme that the distribution network for different types of fuels as well as the public recharging points catering for electric cars are built mainly on market terms in Finland. Existing EU and/or national aid forms of different types can be utilised in the construction. The recharging or refuelling points would be constructed by different kinds of energy companies and other commercial operators, for example.

Municipalities are not expected to build the alternative fuels infrastructure or fund its construction themselves. Instead they are tasked to contribute to the planning of the infrastructure where necessary and ensure that it is linked to the rest of the transport network at the local level. The municipalities must also ensure that the areas needed for distribution infrastructure are set aside in land use planning and zoning.

The key targets in the programme are also included in Finland's National Energy and Climate Strategy, which was already handled in the government plenary session of 24 November 2016 and given as a Government report to Parliament on 30 November 2016. The national programme is based on the proposals submitted in November 2016 by a broad-based working group appointed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Inquiries:

Risto Murto, Director of Unit, tel. +358 40 505 3320