"With its current approach to the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, the Commission is failing to live up to its own claim of presenting a strategic framework for investment and climate protection across all modes of transport. According to the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), the transport sector encompasses all four areas—road, rail, air, and sea. From an industrial policy perspective, it is therefore essential that the STIP reflects a holistic approach. Focusing the STIP solely on air and sea transport risks inadequately addressing necessary investments in renewable fuels for road transport.

Renewable fuels are a crucial component for the decarbonization of road transport, not only concerning the existing vehicle fleet, but also for the market ramp-up of hydrogen vehicles and the eventual, exclusive operation of vehicles powered by renewable fuels. A STIP that focuses solely on individual sub-sectors will not meet the requirements of a fair, cross-sectoral transformation.

Furthermore: As the VDA, we call for a timely definition of CO₂-neutral fuels. The RED currently only defines renewable fuels. A binding legal definition would provide investors, manufacturers, and operators with urgently needed planning certainty."