Transfrigoroute International
TI
Established in 1955, Transfrigoroute International (TI) is the only specialist independent umbrella association for the temperature-controlled road transport sector at the European Union level.
ID: 49864752280-23
Lobbying Activity
Response to Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy
29 Jul 2020
Transfrigoroute International, the specialist independent umbrella association for the temperature-controlled road transport industry, welcomes the announced communication on the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Smart Mobility and the opportunity to contribute in shaping it. Taking note of the roadmap, Transfrigoroute would like to draw the European Commission’s attention on elements of concern for the sector and offer its views for effective policymaking.
Within the strand of work on urban mobility, the upcoming Strategy should strive for more harmonisation on definitions and criteria for zero- and low-emission zones in urban areas across Europe. Our sector routinely operates across national and regional borders: the current patchwork of regulations is creating frictions and operational constraints and therefore is not fit for purpose. Transfrigoroute is ready to engage with national and local authorities to and shape the European agenda for sustainable urban and regional mobility, by highlighting effective solutions to reduce air and noise pollution. While low-emission solutions for freight transport are tested and rolled out, the critical importance of refrigerated transport for food and pharmaceutical products, as well as the difference among all types of deliveries, must be recognized within existing and future regulations.
Transfrigoroute welcomes the European Commission’s initiatives to improve and expand the charging and refuelling infrastructure for alternative fuels. As freight transport transitions to lower emission vehicles, the Commission should rely on the input from light- and heavy-duty vehicles manufacturers to set standards for an expanded EU-wide network of charging points for electric vehicles. Transfrigoroute is ready to contribute to these efforts and discuss how to integrate charging points for traction systems and power supply for the stand-by needs of refrigeration systems in a longer-term perspective.
As the whole industry recently stated, improving the infrastructure in truck parking areas is the first and more urgent step to take. As most of refrigeration equipment for long distance transport can run on electric stand-by power while parked, equipping parking areas with plug-in facilities would bring significant and immediate environmental and societal improvements. Powering the refrigeration equipment using electricity from the grid instead of relying on the internal combustion engines will greatly reduce both emissions and noise pollution. Lowering noise pollution will also help increase societal acceptance for new or expanded parking areas in urban or extra-urban environments and improve the quality of rest for all drivers.
The green transition of the road transport sector, with a view to reach the 2050 decarbonization objectives, will require considerable investments from the EU and Member States. Targeted funding and incentives to fleet renewal will lower the cost of greener trucks running on alternative fuels, and make sure transport remains affordable for all.
Transfrigoroute has praised the Commission’s efforts towards the transport sectors as European borders closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. As we witness the disruption on passenger and freight transport caused by the pandemic, the upcoming strategy should set the course on how different aspects of the transport ecosystem should interact, for more resilience and preparedness in times of crisis, and better protection of workers and operators. Regardless of the medium-term impact of the pandemic, the EU must now take a holistic approach and better integrate the necessities of logistic chains – temperature-controlled transport is a critically important one – with an effective management of external and internal borders and enforcement of legislation.
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