The Ministry of Transport and Communications on Tuesday published a report on slashing traffic emissions and boosting the distribution of alternative fuels. The report, drawn up by a blue-ribbon panel, outlines a plan to develop the current fuel distribution network and electric vehicle charging points.
The alternative power sources for all road vehicles are to include electricity, hydrogen, natural gas and various biofuels in mixtures of up to 100 percent – compared to today's level of 10 percent in standard petrol. In order to reach this goal, virtually all of the vehicles in the country would have to be replaced by the year 2030 to make them compatible with the new system. As it is, Finns are slower than most Europeans to replace their vehicles, with a nearly complete replacement only taking place at intervals of some 20 years.
Charge points at every mall and parking lot?
The committee foresees the change as primarily taking place through market conditions. However it notes that the system could also deploy various kinds of EU and national subsidies. According to the proposal, the infrastructure would primarily be built by energy companies and other commercial operators, such as shopping centres and parking lot operators. The overall change would also require an array of other incentives and informational campaigns to help the public make the necessary transition.
The goal is to make Finland's road traffic essentially emission-free by the year 2050, as part of efforts to meet the nation's emissions targets. They are specified through the EU's unified commitments under the UN's Paris Agreement, on combating climate change. It aims to keep the average rise in global temperatures to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era.
Tax rewrite essential
Transport Minister Anne Berner tells Yle that the developments must also include tax reforms.
"Even just from the standpoint of state finances, transport-related taxation must sooner or later be overhauled. Then we have to consider what the alternative model will be, and one alternative model is that we shift to a fee-based system, in other words that each pays for his or her usage in proportion to how it impacts on the environment and emissions," the minister said on Yle TV1's Tuesday morning chat show.
Berner added that besides changes to private car usage, Finland must also encourage the use of mass transit and bicycles.
The report was drawn up by an expert panel set up a year ago to look into how Finland will implement the EU's 2014 directive on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure. Berner says that her ministry will draw on the document as it comes up with its own implementation blueprint by the end of this year.