A Dream Yet To Come True Of Sustainable Transport in Czechia

EU Sustainable Mobility Policy and the Czech Implementation Gap Presented by: Dr. Vodicka Date: April 27, 2025 Structure - 1. Preliminary thoughts - 2. State of Play in the EU - 3. Czech Perspective - 4. Conclusion Preliminary Thoughts - What is a sustainable transport? - Internalization of negative externalities - • Environmental costs up to 44% • User pays • Polluter pays Fragmented approach • Different addressees • Product standards x MS obligations (various policies) Sustainable Transport - Sustainable transport may be defined as transport that will enable conditions for carrying people and cargo in a manner that is functional, safe and economical, while it at the same avoids depletion of non-renewable energy sources, and reduces the environmental load caused by emissions and noise to the levels no longer hazardous to human health, natural ecosystems and the Earth's climate. (CZ) - Sustainable transportation refers to low- and zero-emission, energy-efficient, and affordable modes of transport, including electric and alternative-fuel vehicles, as well as domestic fuels. (USA) - Sustainable transport refers to ways of transportation that are sustainable in terms of their social and environmental impacts. (Wiki) - Sustainable transportation can enhance economic growth and improve accessibility. Sustainable transport achieves better integration of the economy while respecting the environment. improving social equity, health, resilience of cities, urban-rural linkages and productivity of rural areas. (UN) - SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY - AN IRREVERSIBLE SHIFT TO ZERO-EMISSION MOBILITY • The European Green Deal calls for a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from transport, in order for the EU to become a climate-neutral economy by 2050, while also working towards a zero-pollution ambition. To achieve this systemic change, we need to (1) make all transport modes more sustainable, (2) make sustainable alternatives widely available in a multimodal transport system and (3) put in place the right incentives to drive the transition. These are the three pillars of our future actions. • This implies that all policy levers must be pulled: (1) measures to significantly reduce the current dependence on fossil fuels (by replacing existing fleets with low- and zero-emission vehicles and boosting the use of renewable and lowcarbon fuels); (2) decisive action to shift more activity towards more sustainable transport modes (notably increasing the number of passengers travelling by rail and commuting by public transport and active modes, as well as shifting a substantial amount of freight onto rail, inland waterways, and short sea shipping); and (3) internalization of external costs (by implementing the 'polluter pays' and 'user pays' principles, in particular through carbon pricing and infrastructure charging mechanisms). - Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy -putting European transport on track for the future - Affordability - Social equity - Economy - Accessibility - Environment - Road - Aviation - - Rail? Shipping Transport is the biggest source of emissions in the EU Electrification Of Passenger Cars - In 2030 about 44% of all GHGs in the EU (current trajectory) - EV market share is growing - More EVs -> Bigger energy consumption? - Stronger push to decarbonize electricity generation State Of Play (Passenger Cars In EU) Direct Effect • Regulation 2018/858 (type-approval) - • Regulation 2024/1257 (Euro 7) • Regulation 2019/631 (CO2 from vehicles) • Directive 2019/1161 (Clean Vehicles Directive) - • EU ETS + ETS 2 • RES Directive • Regulation 2023/1804 (AFIR) • Competition rules (State Aid) • Air Quality Directive Indirect Effect + CJEU Case Law Czech Perspective - Average age of cars in Czechia (2022): 15,93 • - EU average (2022): 12,3 Automotive legislation is unified within EU x MS discretion? • Positive economical instruments to buy alternative fuel vehicles Financial incentives to buy EVs Tax and Road tolls abatements Low emission zones entries - Vehicles (2022): - • Total number of vehicles 6,4 mil • 27,6k BEV + 15,7k PHEV - Infrastructure (2022) • 2,6k charging points Policy: National Action Plan for Clean Mobility • - Directive 2014/94 → AFIR Regulation • - Drafted in 2015 amended in 2020 MS objective: 29% of RES CZ (2021): 7,5% National Action Plan for Clean Mobility • Drafted in 2015 → amended in 2020 → currently public consultation of new amendment • Ministry of Industry and Trade • New Draft (May 2024) Still heavily dependent on CNG and biomethane Educating public on e-mobility E-carsharing, vulnerable groups BEV (2025): 50k, 2030 250k Measures predominantly aimed at infrastructure development and vehicles procurement Conclusion - Concept of sustainable transport is very broad - Czechia will not achieve 2030 MS target of 29% of RED - Czechia still underestimates spatial planning and discretionary powers of municipalities to tackle transport issues - Unwillingness of people/politicians to let go of combustion engines