European legal framework for climate-friendly mobility
European course setting for climate-friendly mobility – The role of NOW GmbH in the European legal framework
The European Union aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. To achieve this goal, the EU legal framework contains climate protection measures for the common internal market. As co-legislators, member states and the European Parliament set uniform rules and establish standards with the aim of creating fair competitive conditions.
The transformation of the transport sector towards greater climate protection is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Germany is pursuing ambitious goals in the development of sustainable mobility – but decisive impulses for this are no longer only emerging at the national level. A key lever lies in the European legal framework. NOW GmbH therefore actively supports the Federal Ministry for Transport (BMV) in negotiations at EU level – with a clear goal: a strong, sustainable and European-coordinated basis for climate-friendly mobility.
Why the European legal framework is so important
Transport does not stop at national borders. This applies to freight transport as well as to passenger mobility. Accordingly, the importance of a European regulatory framework that sets uniform standards, conducive framework conditions and reliable investment signals is great. Whether it concerns the charging infrastructure for battery-electric vehicles, hydrogen filling stations, e-fuels or synthetic fuels – a fragmented legislation would delay the development, inhibit innovative strength and generate unnecessary costs.
This is where NOW GmbH’s European work comes in: It contributes its many years of technical expertise in the field of alternative drives and infrastructure in order to participate in viable European solutions in line with Germany’s and its climate goals.
Government Support Group (GSG) – Exchange and coordination between member states
A central element of this work is participation in the Government Support Group (GSG). This informal forum enables close coordination between European member states on topics such as the development of infrastructures for alternative fuels. NOW is not only an active member, but also runs the secretariat of the GSG together with the Dutch authority Rijkswaterstaat.
This role is of particular importance because it allows NOW to help shape discussions, reflect national positions and promote the transfer of knowledge between states. This creates coordinated strategies that pave the way for a uniform and ambitious implementation of European requirements – to the benefit of Germany and the whole of Europe.
Expert groups such as the Sustainable Transport Forum (STF)
NOW GmbH is also involved in the expert groups of the EU Commission with great technical depth – in particular in the Sustainable Transport Forum (STF). Members of NOW work here in several subgroups and contribute their expertise to the development of technical guidelines, recommendations and reports. This preliminary work often flows directly into the design of the so-called tertiary law, i.e. into the detailed implementation of existing EU regulations and directives.
For Germany, this means: Early influence on central course settings of European transport policy, practical and technology-open regulations – and the possibility to co-shape regulatory developments in line with national interests.