Report: Market for new propulsion systems develops largely in line with the objectives

On 13 December 2022, the Ministry of Transport and Communications published a follow-up report that assesses the networks of recharging and refuelling stations for vehicles running on electricity, gas or hydrogen. It also includes an assessment of the take-up of electric and gas cars. According to the report, the targets set for 2020 have for the most part been achieved. However, the targets set in 2017 were moderate and they were tightened in 2021 in the Roadmap for Fossil-free Transport.

In spring 2022, the Ministry of Transport and Communications set up a working group to improve the distribution infrastructure for alternative fuels in road transport. The task of the group was to draw up a follow-up report on the implementation of the national distribution infrastructure programme published in 2017. The aim of the programme was that by 2020 there would be around 20,000 electric cars and 5,000 gas-powered cars in Finland. In terms of the distribution infrastructure, the aim for 2020 was at least 2,000 publicly available charging points for electric cars and 50 stations for distributing gas for transport use. 

The report states that the targets set for 2020 in terms of both electricity and gas have been largely achieved and partly even exceeded. In terms of electricity, the targets originally set for 2030 are likely to be exceeded. However, the targets for electricity and gas were tightened in 2021 in the Roadmap for Fossil-free Transport.

With regard to hydrogen, the target is about 20 refuelling stations by 2030. At the moment, however, there are only two hydrogen-powered vehicles in use in Finland and no publicly available hydrogen refuelling stations. So the achievement of the targets as far as hydrogen is concerned seems uncertain.

The report also assesses the alternative fuels for water transport and air transport.

While preparing the report, use was made of the review by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom of the current situation in alternative fuels, published in October 2022.

According to the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive, Member States must report once every three years to the European Commission on the implementation of their national distribution infrastructure programme. Finland submitted its report to the Commission in November 2022.

What's next?

The draft for a new national distribution infrastructure programme will be completed in January-February 2023. The Ministry of Transport and Communications will hold a stakeholder event and a consultation round on the programme in February. The programme will be finalised in March 2023.

Inquiries:

Saara Jääskeläinen, Senior Adviser, tel. +358 40 015 3745, [email protected]

Päivi Antikainen, Director of Unit, tel. +358 50 382 7101, [email protected]