Towards a better infrastructure for alternative fuels
CEF Transport – Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF)
The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) is an ongoing funding instrument supporting the renewal and upgrade of Europe’s alternative fuels infrastructure, with the aim of decarbonising transport along the TEN-T network. The second CEF AFIF call covers the years 2024 and 2025, and focuses on electric charging stations, hydrogen refuelling stations and ‘ammonia/methanol bunkering’ along the European Union’s main transport corridors.
In short
CEF Transport AFIF overview
For whom?
Government (national, provinces, municipalities)
Enterprises (port authorities, industrial, logistics and service-providing companies)
When to apply
The CEF AFIF 2024-2025 programme is successor to CEF AFIF 2021-2023 (whose last of five calls closed on 7 November 2023). The new 2024-2025 period is open for applications since 29 February 2024. In total, there are three closing dates ('cut-off dates'):
- The first: 24 September 2024
- The second: 11 June 2025
- The third: 7 December 2025
For what?
Implementation projects
How much?
The CEF AFIF programme 2024-2025 has a total budget of 1 billion euros. Of this, 780 million is earmarked for the 'General Envelope', and 220 million for the 'Cohesion envelope' (reserved for the 15 EU member states eligible for Cohesion Fund support).
The grant amounts per unit for publicly accessible charging points are:
- within the ‘Cohesion envelope’: 30,000 euros for charging points with a minimum capacity of 150 kW, and 60,000 euros for charging points with a minimum capacity of 350 kW.
- within the ‘General envelope’: 20,000 euros for charging points with a minimum capacity of 150 kW, and 40,000 euros for charging points with a minimum capacity of 350 kW.
Co-financing rates range from 30% to 70% of eligible costs within the 'General Envelope' and from 50% to 70% within the 'Cohesion Envelope'.
Overview of
CEF Transport AFIF themes
Unit contributions:
- publicly accessible charging points for light vehicles (LDV) along the TEN-T network
- publicly accessible charging points for Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDV) along the TEN-T network.
Co-funding rate:
- Publicly accessible charging points for Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDV) along the TEN-T network.
- Charging stations powering inland and marine vessels, as well as vessels for port operations;
- Electrification of port operations and electrification of ground operations at airports;
- Publicly accessible hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) for light and/or heavy vehicles;
- Hydrogen refuelling stations for public transport (e.g. bus depots), inland waterway and marine vessels, vessels for port operations, railways and airports;
- Ammonia and methanol bunkering infrastructure to supply maritime vessels, inland waterway and port operations.
Note: ‘LNG bunkering’ is no longer a theme within the CEF-AFIF programme 2024-2025.
Meet the requirements
CEF Transport AFIF conditions
Various terms of eligibility apply to this grant scheme, including:
The grant must be combined with a loan from other financial institutions (‘blending’). Applicants have to guarantee part (min. 10%) of the financing with a:
- ‘Implementing partner’ (IP): the European Investment Bank (EIB) and other national promotional banks.
- ‘Non-implementing partner’ (non-IP): other public or private financial institutions, for example commercial banks.
Of the AFIF budget, at least 2/3 is available for IP approved financing, and up to 1/3 for non-IP approved financing.
The (Non-)Implementing Partner has to approve the financing of the project in a ‘Financial Approval Letter’.
Get in touch
What can EGEN do for you?
If you have ideas for a project that is a match for one of the AFIF themes, tell us about it. We have already handled several successful AFIF grant applications, and we’d be delighted to help you too!
“The way in which we will travel and transport goods in the coming years is going to be more sustainable, and I am excited to be able to contribute to these physical changes. My perseverance in turning projects into a good-news story and bringing the right parties together is my main asset.”
Contact Simone Zwijnenberg →
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