Transport
"The EU ETS will now cover the maritime shipping sector, and free allowances for aviation will be phased out."
EU
Fit for 55/REPowerEU
Final versions of instruments underpinning the EU Emissions Trading System and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism have been agreed, as we note here. The EU ETS will now cover the maritime shipping sector, and free allowances for aviation will be phased out. A new, separate emissions trading system will apply from 2027 to distributors supplying fossil fuel to certain sectors, including transport.
TEN-T Regulation
The Transport Committee of the Parliament has reported on the proposal to revise the TEN-T Regulation. Proposed amendments include efforts to speed-up delivery of the core TEN-T network. Further information is available here.
EV Charging Services
In Case C-282/22 the CJEU stated that the VAT Directive 2006/112/EC must be interpreted as meaning that a single complex supply encompassing the following aspects constitutes a ‘supply of goods’ within the meaning of Article 14(1): access to recharging devices for EVs (including integration of the charger with the vehicle operating system); the supply of electricity, within duly adjusted parameters, to the batteries of that vehicle; the necessary technical support for the users concerned; and the provision of IT applications enabling the user concerned to reserve a connector, view his or her transaction history, and purchase credits which are accumulated in an e-wallet and used to pay for recharging sessions.
Cyber Threats
A report is available on cyber threats in the transport sector, published by the EU Agency for Cybersecurity.
DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS
Road Tolls
European Union (Interoperability of Electronic Road Toll Systems) Regulations 2023 are intended to transpose into Irish law Directive (EU) 2019/520 on electronic road toll systems and the exchange of cross-border information on the failure to pay road fees.
Demand Management
A National Demand Management Strategy will be developed over the next year with the aim of reducing traffic congestion.
Climate Adaptation
A Climate Adaptation Strategy for Regional and Local Roads has been made available. It identifies actions required to improve climate resilience of assets.
Long-term Strategy on Emissions Reductions
DECC published the Long-term Strategy on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions, required by the Energy Union Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. The Strategy reiterates policy set out in the Climate Action Plan 2023, which we looked at here, sectoral emissions ceilings, and other Government policies.