On 22 May 2025, the European Commission published new recommendations to help EU Member States address transport poverty and promote fair and sustainable mobility — an issue that has gained increasing relevance as the shift toward zero-emission mobility accelerates.

The recommendations, framed under the broader European Pillar of Social Rights and tied to the Social Climate Fund (which will mobilise €86.7 billion between 2026 and 2032), aim to ensure that the green transport transition leaves no one behind.

Key points of interest for the alternative fuels and electric mobility community include:

🔌 Incentivising Clean Mobility SolutionsThe Commission encourages Member States to use Social Climate Fund resources to promote affordable access to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), including both new and second-hand electric cars and vans. Suggested measures include:

• Social leasing schemes targeting vulnerable households, micro-enterprises, and transport users.
• Investments in public charging infrastructure, especially in under-served regions.
• Support for on-demand, shared, and active mobility solutions, complementing public transport networks.

🚗 Targeting Transport PovertyTransport poverty is defined as the inability or difficulty of individuals or households to meet the cost of private or public transport, or lack of access to essential services due to limited transport options. The Commission identifies key groups at risk:

• Low-income households in rural and suburban areas.
• Vulnerable urban populations lacking affordable, adequate public or shared mobility options.
• Communities dependent on high-cost fossil fuel-based mobility.

🏙 Planning for Local NeedsThe guidance calls on national and regional authorities to set measurable milestones for improving transport affordability, availability, and accessibility. This includes integrating multimodal connectivity, expanding public transport networks, and ensuring sufficient charging and refuelling infrastructure for electric and hydrogen vehicles.

📊 Monitoring and DataThe recommendations highlight the need for better national data collection, including gender- and income-disaggregated indicators, to track progress. EU-level tools like the upcoming European Fair Transition Observatory will help monitor the fairness aspects of the green transition, including the deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure and access to zero-emission mobility.

💡 Why It Matters for Alternative FuelsThe Commission’s emphasis on social fairness alongside environmental goals underlines that Europe’s transition to zero-emission transport — including electric vehicles, hydrogen solutions, and shared mobility services — must be inclusive. Public investments in electric mobility infrastructure, social leasing schemes, and targeted subsidies can make the benefits of clean mobility accessible to all, while also helping Member States meet the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) targets.

The EAFO team will continue tracking how these recommendations translate into national-level measures, particularly regarding the rollout of electric vehicle support schemes and the expansion of publicly available charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

For the full text of the recommendations and annexes, visit the European Commission’s publication here.

Commission Recommendation on transport poverty: ensuring affordable, accessible and fair mobility

Annex to the recommendation on transport poverty: ensuring affordable, accessible and fair mobility

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.