The European Union has dropped proposed targets for the number of public charging stations member countries must install by 2020. The EU’s new alternative fuel law, due to come into force later this month, will contain no binding rules on how many charging stations are to be deployed.

The law states only that governments must install an “appropriate number of electric recharging points accessible to the public” by the end of 2020. Reviews are scheduled for 2017 and 2018.

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The advocacy group Transport & Environment criticized the law. “It’s unfortunate that this emperor ended up having no clothes because governments could not accept binding commitments for low-carbon charging infrastructure,” said Greg Archer, the group’s Clean Vehicles Manager. “Europe can and should do better and initiate a comprehensive strategy on e-mobility. This continent needs to join the race for clean innovation, cut its €300-billion oil import bill and reduce CO₂ emissions as soon as possible.”

Although there will be no EU-wide targets, several member nations have more or less aggressive programs in place to roll out public charging. For example, the UK has allocated £9 million to its Go Ultra Low campaign, which hopes to install 200 additional charge points this year.

Source: Auto Express
Image: Lars Plougmann/Flickr