EU Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy

In December 2020 The European Commission presented its ‘Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy’ together with an Action Plan of 82 initiatives for the next four years.

See Announcement.

See Main Strategy Document

See Annex document

See Staff Working Document with supporting information

This strategy lays the foundation for how the EU transport system can achieve its green and digital transformation and become more resilient to future crises. As outlined in the European Green Deal, the result will be a 90% cut in emissions by 2050, delivered by a smart, competitive, safe, accessible and affordable transport system.

Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said: “Through the implementation of this strategy, we will create an irreversible shift to zero-emission mobility while making our transport system more efficient and resilient.”

Concrete milestones will keep the European transport system’s journey towards a smart and sustainable future on track:

By 2030:

  • at least 30 million zero-emission cars will be in operation on European roads
  • 100 European cities will be climate neutral.
  • high-speed rail traffic will double across Europe
  • scheduled collective travel for journeys under 500 km should be carbon neutral
  • automated mobility will be deployed at large scale
  • zero-emission marine vessels will be market-ready

By 2035:

  • zero-emission large aircraft will be market-ready

By 2050:

  • nearly all cars, vans, buses as well as new heavy-duty vehicles will be zero-emission.
  • rail freight traffic will double.
  • a fully operational, multimodal Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) for sustainable and smart transport with high speed connectivity.

For transport to become sustainable, in practice this means:

  • Boosting the uptake of zero-emission vehicles, vessels and aeroplanes, renewable & low-carbon fuels and related infrastructure - for instance by installing 3 million public charging points by 2030.
  • Creating zero-emission airports and ports – for instance through new initiatives to promote sustainable aviation and maritime fuels.
  • Making interurban and urban mobility healthy and sustainable - for instance by doubling high-speed rail traffic and developing extra cycling infrastructure over the next 10 years.
  • Greening freight transport – for instance by doubling rail freight traffic by 2050.
  • Pricing carbon and providing better incentives for users – for instance by pursuing a comprehensive set of measures to deliver fair and efficient pricing across all transport.