The second edition of the “Energy4Mobility Expert Talk” series was held in cooperation with the Representation of the State of Hessen to the European Union, on 15 March 2021.
On this occasion, policy, industry and research representatives shared their views on the question: “Should the EU launch a Low Carbon Liquid Fuels Strategy?” The speakers agreed that a long-term strategy for low-carbon liquid fuels is needed at EU level to design the required policy framework and unlock the full potential of these types of fuels to support the EU’s climate neutrality ambitions.
“This year, the European Commission will release the ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime legislative proposals. Both are designed to push the transport sectors to take substantial additional actions towards decarbonisation. In that regard, low-carbon liquid fuels will certainly play an important role for cutting aviation and maritime emissions by 2030.”
“A low-carbon liquid fuels strategy that would embrace a well-to-wheel approach would help ramp up production and use of these promising fuels in the road transport sector, with a view to use them later on in those other sectors which are more difficult to decarbonise."
“While there is no single technology which will address the challenge of decarbonising the entire transport sector, renewable and low-carbon liquid fuels represent a complementary, no-regret solution, across land, air and sea. A long-term European strategy would help drive demand for low-carbon liquid fuels in all three transport sectors.”
“Going forward we need a smart, market-oriented strategy on low-carbon liquid fuels for the aviation sector, which includes a clear phase-out of fossil kerosene and creates demand by providing incentives to invest in e-fuels.“
“E-fuels will not slow down electrification of transport. As such, we need incentives, notably in passenger car regulation, to spur the uptake of e-fuels where there is no credible alternative.”
"European policy for road transport has become really focused on replacing the internal combustion engine, whereas in fact, decarbonising transport is about replacing fossil fuels. This distinction is key if we do not want to lose credibility."
“Low-carbon liquid fuels could play a role in the transition, but they are currently hampered by their scarcity and their cost. Should they be made available to consumers easily and in an affordable way, they should definitely have a role to play in the medium term."
Impressions of the Expert Talk on 15 March 2021 in Brussels
