Leading industry and transport organisations have warned that the European Union cannot afford to pause the rollout of charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, as uncertainty over EU funding threatens to slow deployment from 2026 onwards.

In a joint appeal, the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and Transport & Environment (T&E) have urged the European Commission to ensure continuity of EU-level funding for heavy-duty vehicle charging and hydrogen infrastructure. The organisations caution that a break in support in 2026–2027 could significantly delay the uptake of zero-emission trucks.

The call comes amid concerns over the exhaustion of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), a funding instrument created under the CEF Transport programme to support alternative fuels infrastructure. AFIF has enabled around €3 billion in investments across the EU, helping to expand critical charging and refuelling networks. However, ongoing discussions in Brussels suggest a potential gap in funding before the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework begins in 2028.

In a joint letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the three organisations stressed the need for urgent action to avoid a loss of momentum just as zero-emission trucks are entering the market and investments are scaling up across the value chain.

IRU EU Director Raluca Marian warned that a pause in funding at this stage would send the wrong signal to the market. She highlighted the particular challenges faced by transport operators, noting that while companies may be willing to invest in more expensive zero-emission vehicles, such investments are unrealistic without guaranteed access to charging infrastructure, given the sector’s thin margins.

Marian also underlined the importance of targeted EU support for depot charging, which she described as the backbone of commercial vehicle charging due to its role in ensuring operational control and predictable costs.

ACEA’s Chief Commercial Vehicles Officer, Thomas Fabian, echoed these concerns, stating that continuous support for charging and refuelling infrastructure is essential if Europe is serious about decarbonising road transport. He warned that any interruption in funding could slow vehicle adoption and weaken Europe’s industrial competitiveness at a critical moment, calling for continuity and acceleration rather than hesitation.

The organisations are urging the European Commission to secure continued EU-level support either by extending AFIF or by mobilising alternative funding instruments in close cooperation with Member States. They emphasised that funding must cover the full infrastructure chain, including public charging and refuelling points, depot charging, grid connections and energy storage solutions, all of which are essential for the daily operation of zero-emission trucks.

T&E’s Fleets and Freight Director, Stef Cornelis, described AFIF as one of Europe’s most effective funding tools, noting that truck charging infrastructure projects are already being rolled out across the continent, from Portugal to Romania. He stressed that reliable charging infrastructure is critical for enabling Europe’s logistics sector to transition to electric trucks.

According to the organisations, maintaining momentum in infrastructure deployment is essential to support investment decisions, enable cross-border operations and ensure that the EU’s transition to zero-emission road freight can be delivered in practice.