IRU joined a group of key stakeholders invited by the European Internal Market Commissioner, Thierry Breton, to set concrete key performance indicators (KPIs) for a clean and competitive transformation of the EU’s automotive ecosystem.

Along with other representatives from the automotive ecosystem, including non-governmental organisations, manufacturers, suppliers and local authorities, IRU was happy to contribute to, and provide feedback on, the five KPIs proposed by Commissioner Thierry Breton.

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For road transport operators, the first three KPIs targeting charging infrastructure, electricity generation capacity and grid, and raw materials will enable the transition to zero-emission vehicles. They are also elements which may affect the continuity of mobility and supply chains if not adequately rolled out and stabilised across the entire EU.

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IRU Director of EU Advocacy Raluca Marian said, “Trucks and buses are not cars. This has consequences not only from a technological perspective, but also because freight and collective passenger transport play a unique economic function. They move the economy forward. As a society, we cannot risk having blockages. If they stop, the economy stops. Who can afford that?”

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Affordability and jobs are also very relevant KPIs. For transport operators, an element of economic efficiency should be added to affordability. Different technologies suit different purposes. 

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“We can imagine a future landscape where different vehicle technologies are best fit for urban, regional transport, or long haul transport and for various purposes to best fulfil our mission. For such a future, transport companies need options. Just electric-battery and hydrogen may not be enough,” added Raluca Marian.

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IRU looks forward to continuing the discussion in 2023 and further developing the KPIs, including their interconnection with current EU initiatives, such as the alternative fuels infrastructure regulation. 

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Source: IRU