Transport: EUR 1 billion for alternative fuels infrastructure projects

A call for proposals has been launched today under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for Transport Programme - Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), making EUR 1 billion available to support the deployment of alternative fuels supply infrastructure along the Trans-European Network of Transport (TEN-T). 

This second phase of AFIF (2024-2025) will support the objectives set in the new Regulation for the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR) regarding publicly accessible electric recharging pools* and hydrogen refuelling stations across the European Union's main transport corridors and hubs, as well as the objectives set in the ReFuelEU aviation and the FuelEU maritime Regulations.

What projects are eligible for funding?

This call for proposals covers the roll-out of alternative fuels infrastructure for road, maritime, inland waterway and air transport. In addition to the support to high power electricity recharging stations and hydrogen refuelling stations, the following new funding opportunities will be available:

• Support to Megawatt recharging stations for Heavy Duty Vehicles
• Support to electricity and hydrogen supply at airports
• Support to electricity supply and ammonia and methanol bunkering facilities in ports

AFIF supports mature investment projects having received a financing approval letter from an Implementing Partner or from a public or private financial institution established in the EU.

How to apply?

Applicants have to submit their proposal electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System.

When to apply?

Applicants can submit their proposals before any of the three cut-off dates:

• 24 September 2024 at 17.00 (CET)
• 11 June 2025 at 17.00 (CET)
• 17 December 2025 at 17.00 (CET)

How will the grants be awarded?

The submitted proposals will be evaluated by the European Commission and the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Applicants will receive the evaluation about 4 months after the submission deadline and grant agreements will be signed within 9 months after the submission deadline.

Background

The CEF Transport programme is the key EU funding instrument for the development of high performing, sustainable and interconnected Trans-European transport networks.

Under the CEF programme, EUR 25.6 billion is available for grants from the EU’s 2021-2027 budget to co-fund Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) projects in the EU Member States. Since 2014 the CEF transport programme has supported over 1,450 projects with a total of EUR 36.3 billion.

Under the first phase of AFIF which ran between 2021 and 2024, 131 projects received a combined total of over EUR 1.3 billion in EU support.

CINEA will organise a virtual information day on the call in the coming weeks.

* one or more recharging stations at a specific location