The Energy Tax Directive proposal that  the EU Commission presented last year was voted down on April 19 as the Parliament was not ready to increase taxes in the current economical climate. According to the EC  proposal, the motor fuel tax shall be split between a CO2 based and an energy based component by introducing a minimum flat tax for all fuels to be implemented stepwise until 2018,  offering an option to the Member States to postpone any tax increase to 2023. The EP report recognized the need for consistency with regards to the rates of taxation, but suggested a highet tax on diesel and supportive measures for CNG and biogas. The proposed new tax system would automatically redistribute the relative advantages of various fuels in terms of CO2 emissions.

The EHA also met with the main rapporteurs on the Connecting Europe Facility dossier that defines the budget for the EU’s Energy (TEN E) , Transport, (TEN T) and ICT infrastructure activities for the coming 7 years. The EHA was advised to submit more details on H2 Infrastructure requirements and the budget needs for this period to be included under the TEN E budget.

Hydrogen storage solutions were this year’s buzz at H2 and FC group exhibit at the Hannover Fair.  EHA members Proton on Site revelaed their PEM electrolyser  and Hydrogenics presented their 90kw compact fuel cell and ITM Power and Linde Group refuelled the fuel cell vehicles of the Drive and Ride with thier mobile station