2023/2060(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)

– having regard to the Commission's proposal of 14 July 2021 for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, and repealing Directive 2014/94/EU,

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas more than 50% of all CO2 emissions in aviation stem from long-haul flights (flights of more than 3.000 km) and electrification or hybrid solutions, such as batteries, fuel cells, hydrogen, methane, ammonia or solar energy, are not yet an option for the next decades;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Recognizes the paramount importance of transition pathways for enabling the industry to effectively translate climate aspirations into tangible climate actions, thereby preserving and creating value for our society, our planet, and businesses alike; expresses concern regarding the divergent transition pathways of the Aerospace and Defence Ecosystem and the Energy Ecosystem, particularly in light of the shared imperative to establish stable grids and ensure the affordability of clean electricity, including for aircraft electrification; urges the Commission to take proactive steps in formulating a common strategy to address this critical need;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Recalls that the Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation (AZEA) was created on the initiative of the European Commission to gather all private and public partners across the aviation ecosystem to prepare for the entry into commercial service of hydrogen-powered and electric aircraft;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)

17b. Calls on the European Investment Bank (EIB) to deploy funding instruments tailored to support the needs of the emerging European electric aviation industry, recognising that this is a capital- intensive sector with specific needs and particularly recognising that the rollout of eVTOLs will also require investments in ground infrastructure, including vertiports and charging infrastructure;

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Is concerned that the budget envisaged for the CAJU under the Horizon Europe programme is far below the scale of its ambition; recalls that the level of innovation associated with each project is very high and that the support must be commensurate; considers that CAJU should also be encouraged to deal with electric aviation; points out that new funding is necessary to go beyond Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 in order to bring technologies to the market;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Is concerned that the budget envisaged for the CAJU under the Horizon Europe programme is ~~far~~ below the scale of its ambition; recalls that the level of innovation associated with each project is very high and that the support must be commensurate and continuous under the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) after 2027; welcomes the recent announcement of the United Kingdom an Associated Country in the Horizon Europe which will boost our common efforts towards clean aviation;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. ~~Is concerned that the budget envisaged for the CAJU under the Horizon Europe programme is far below the scale of its ambition~~Recalls that CAJU should prioritise the funding of innovative projects on zero-emission aviation such as electric and hydrogen aircraft; recalls that the level of innovation associated with each project is very high and that the support must be commensurate;

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Underlines the current shortage of skills in electric and system engineering; calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote skills academies; recalls that the EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) could be used as a reference to develop a thematic EU contest for young talents for all industrial ecosystems, including for electric flights; calls on the Commission and the Member States to raise more awareness about opportunities in green careers in aviation and to encourage national and EU projects;

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Regrets that despite the substantial effort and commitment demanded from the aviation sector in its pursuit of decarbonisation, there is no specific EU aviation fund designated explicitly to support aviation; calls on the Commissions to launch specific calls to finance projects supporting electrification and actions to reduce the overall impacts of aviation;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Recalls that the Innovation Fund under the Emission Trading System, and the use of Carbon Contracts for Difference, are key instruments for deploying and bringing to industrial scale the technologies that will pave the way to electric and hydrogen aviation;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)

18b. Calls on the European Commission to revise the taxonomy criteria for aviation, so that it fully contributes to the decarbonisation of aviation and firmly puts the aviation sector on the path to climate-neutrality; notes that the criteria should be based on only electric and renewable hydrogen aviation and on SAF with the highest sustainability criteria;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas the aviation industries (airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, manufacturers) committed to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050;

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)

18b. Reminds of Directive (EU) 2023/959, which amended Directive 2003/87/EC and broadened the range of eligible projects for funding under the Innovation Fund to encompass a broader array of zero-carbon products, processes, and technologies;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)

18c. Welcomes the Commission’s intention to set up coordinated services of calls under the existing EU instruments and European Investment Bank (EIB) loans to support the new flagship project on drones technologies; urges the EIB to institute targeted funding instruments designed to bolster the emerging European electric aviation sector, acknowledging its capital-intensive nature and unique requirements; acknowledges that the take up of eVTOLs will require investments in ground infrastructure, including vertiports and charging facilities;

Amendment 112 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)

18d. Invites the Member States to explore market incentives and benefits for electric aircraft manufacturers, operators, and SMEs concerned in order to promote the development and adoption of this eco- friendly technology and believes that these incentives and benefits for electric aviation components, electricity, and emissions credits can drive the market growth;

Amendment 113 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Calls on the Commission to invest in research and development of next generation solid-state batteries that have twice as much energy as lithium-ion batteries and approximately three times higher storage potential; calls, therefore, on the Commission to encourage, through instruments such as the Net Zero Industry Act and the EU Battery Alliance, decreasing dependencies in the battery supply chain and ensuring sufficient supply of critical raw materials hereby reducing our external dependencies on batteries;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Calls on the Commission to invest in research and development of next generation solid-state batteries that have twice as much energy as lithium-ion batteries and approximately three times higher storage potential; draws attention to the need to improve battery temperature management and battery charging and replacement management; draws attention to the need to accelerate the development of the battery recycling sector;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Calls on the Commission to ensure consistency between the development of electric transport and mobility, the required infrastructure, and EU policy aiming to increase European battery production capacity, including the necessary supply of the needed raw and advanced materials for battery production; therefore, calls on the Commission to revise the Strategic Action Plan on Batteries which links the aforementioned aspects and specifically includes the introduction of quantified and time-bound targets for EU battery production;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Calls on the Commission to work with and support the Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation to develop knowledge about electric aviation; notes that the Net- Zero Industry Act skills academies could be used in this respect;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Calls on the Commission to urgently adopt strong measures to account for and reduce non-CO2 emissions of aviation;

Amendment 118 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)

19b. Calls on the Commission to create a policy framework that will support the uptake of electric aircraft technologies; notes that this should include, among other measures: taxing fossil kerosene as per the Energy Taxation Directive Proposal; extending the ETS to all departing flights as of 2027; channelling part of the revenues raised to fund the development of disruptive technologies, for example through CAJU; progressive decarbonisation of short haul routes, beginning with a ban of kerosene- powered flights on routes with rail or other mass transport alternatives below 500 km as per the Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy, followed by a progressive mandate of electric aircraft on existing routes that fall within the operating range of those aircraft;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)

19c. Calls on the Commission to create a strategy to ensure that the necessary infrastructure for electric aviation, including power generation, grid connection and charging infrastructure, is deployed commensurate to the uptake of electric aircraft;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas in order to deliver the required emission reductions by 2050, ~~75 % of the global civil fleet will have to be replaced from 2035 onward~~it will be essential to reduce demand for travelling where possible, to incentivise modal shift and to ensure that a significant proportion of the global civil fleet is replaced by 2035 by aircraft complying with ambitious CO2 standards certified to run with 100% SAF, including use of electricity and/or renewable hydrogen propelled planes;

Amendment 120 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)

19d. Calls on the European Commission and the Member States to only permit, as soon as the technology is deployable, the use of private jets that use hydrogen or electric propulsion using renewable hydrogen and electricity for flights under 1.000 km within Europe;

Amendment 121 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 e (new)

19e. Calls on the Commission to develop further measures that would ensure modal shift away from air transport in such a way that recognises the limits to technological and energy efficiency benefits that can be provided through electric, hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels;

Amendment 122 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Calls on the Commission to come up with a European strategy for a coordinated approach to the development, certification and deployment of the new generation of aircraft, including eVTOL aircraft, in order to raise awareness among European citizens of its benefits and to boost private and public investment, while maintaining the technological base and leadership in Europe;

Amendment 123 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Calls on EASA to continue working in order to set certification standards and pathways to make electric and hybrid airplanes viable and capable of significantly shortening the time-to- market of such airplanes; calls on the Commission to provide necessary resources, especially staff, in this respect;

Amendment 124 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Believes that electric aviation holds the promise of a more sustainable future for air travel, and a focused information campaign is vital in raising public awareness about its potential benefits and impact;

Amendment 125 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Encourages the European Commission and the Member States to continue developing in parallel strategic partnerships with like-minded third countries in the area of raw materials for aeronautics;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)

20b. Calls on the Member States and the Commission, in cooperation with the industry, to identify potential synergies with the road transport sector in order to maximise public and private investment, especially in the production and recycling of batteries and fuel cells.

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas Europeans are already bearing huge costs for EU climate policy; whereas the fleet replacement and the adaptation of airports to the electrification of aviation will entail an increase in air ticket prices; whereas for small airports adapting to electric aviation can entail a heavy financial burden often exceeding their capacities;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the current tax breaks on aviation fuels delay the green transition; whereas European governments lost out on €34.2 billion in revenue 2022 due to very low levels of taxation in the aviation sector7a; _________________ 7a Transport & Environment (2023). Aviation tax gap – How much revenues are governments losing out on due to poor aviation taxation?

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the case for truly clean aviation requires deeper collaborations across research, manufacturers, airlines, governments and other stakeholders; whereas a subset of the aviation industry is already active in developing advanced concepts of aircraft8 such as electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft; _________________ 8 ATR, Avinor, Deutsche Aircraft (in cooperation with Private Wings), Heart Aerospace (in cooperation with Finnair and Icelandair), Pipistrel, SAS (in cooperation with Airbus), Tecnam, etc.

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas ~~the case for truly~~ clean aviation requires deeper collaborations across research, manufacturers, airlines, governments and other stakeholders; whereas a subset of the aviation industry is already active in developing advanced concepts of aircraft8 , such as electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft; _________________ 8 ATR, Avinor, Deutsche Aircraft (in cooperation with Private Wings), Heart Aerospace (in cooperation with Finnair and Icelandair), Pipistrel, SAS (in cooperation with Airbus), Tecnam, etc.

Amendment 17 #

Mario FURORE

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas, in the meantime, plans are also taking shape for the widespread take-off of hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035; whereas hydrogen remains the most plausible solution for short-haul commercial aviation in the long term;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas the carbon footprint calculation of electric aviation needs to be based on its entire lifecycle, including the source of energy production and battery manufacturing;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~small~~ electric ~~test~~ aircraft of up to ~~nine seats are already flying in various EU region~~four seats are currently being tested; whereas on 9 August 2023, a prototype eVTOL Vertical Aerospace VX aircraft crashed on an untethered test flight; whereas the widespread use of electric aircraft will require costly investment in infrastructure, such as charging stations at airports and updating air traffic control systems; whereas the uptake of electric aviation poses a huge challenge for governments and regulators, which will have to lay down new safety standards and certification processes; whereas electric aircraft of up to 19 seats are planned for the late 2020s, and regional aircraft for the 2030s9; whereas the first fleet of electric aircraft certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)10 is already engaged in pilot training activities in a safe and environmentally friendly environment; whereas at the current stage in the drive to electrify regional aviation in the EU it is difficult to determine a time horizon for when we will be able to make full use of electric aircraft on short-haul flights; _________________ 9 Fact sheet, ‘Net zero 2050: new aircraft technology’, IATA, June 2023. 10 Pipistrel Velis Electro.

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 b (new)

– having regard to the Commission's proposal of 16 of March 2023 for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (the Net Zero Industry Act),

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas small electric test aircraft of up to nine seats are already flying in various EU regions; whereas electric aircraft of up to 1930 seats are planned for the late 2020s, and regional aircraft for the 2030s9 ; whereas the first fleet of electric aircraft certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)10 is already engaged in pilot training activities in a safe and environmentally friendly environment and whereas several eVTOL models have already applied for type certification with EASA; _________________ 9 Fact sheet, ‘Net zero 2050: new aircraft technology’, IATA, June 2023. 10 Pipistrel Velis Electro.

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas small electric test aircraft of up to nine seats are already flying in various EU regions; whereas electric aircraft of up to 1930 seats are planned for the late 2020s~~, and regional aircraft for the 2030s9~~ ; whereas it is unlikely that this technology will accommodate long distance travel in the short and intermediate term; whereas the first fleet of electric aircraft certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)10 is already engaged in pilot training activities in a safe and environmentally friendly environment; _________________ ~~9 Fact sheet, ‘Net zero 2050: new aircraft technology’, IATA, June 2023.~~ 10 Pipistrel Velis Electro.

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas small electric test aircraft of up to nine seats are already flying in various EU regions; whereas electric aircraft of up to 19 seats are planned for the late 2020s, and regional aircraft for the 2030s9 ; whereas the first fleet of electric aircraft certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)10 is already engaged in ~~pilot training activities in a~~ safe and environmentally friendly ~~environment~~pilot training activities; _________________ 9 Fact sheet, ‘Net zero 2050: new aircraft technology’, IATA, June 2023. 10 Pipistrel Velis Electro.

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas EASA proposed rules for safe operation of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, which includes air taxis, and a comprehensive set of operational requirements for piloted electric air taxis, spanning across the domains of operations, flight crew licensing, and rules on the air and air traffic management;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas the EU is witnessing rapid development in battery technology in terms of both production volumes and development expenditure; whereas, nevertheless, the European Court of Auditors found major shortcomings in European industrial policy on batteries1a, which endangers the goals of climate neutrality and creating a competitive battery industry in the EU; _________________ 1a https://www.eca.europa.eu/ECAPublicatio ns/SR-2023-15/SR-2023-15_EN.pdf

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas the EU is witnessing ~~rapid~~ development in battery technology in terms of both production volumes and development expenditure; whereas progress in battery technology is still too slow to provide solutions that will enable cost-effective commercial operation of eVTOL;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

Fa. whereas investments by the Member States in the electricity supply of stationary aircraft will be needed in the upcoming years in order to comply with the targets set out in Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, which could form a stepping stone towards the future deployment of charging infrastructure for electric aircraft;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)

Fb. whereas green & digital skills in technical education and expertise such as aviation technology & engineering, science, and mathematics, is vital for the sustainable development of aviation, and creates attractive jobs for young people;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital G

G. whereas the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (CAJU) is the EU’s leading research and innovation programme for transforming aviation towards a sustainable future; whereas the CAJU and EASA are cooperating on shadapting ~~a horizontal standard~~the certification regime for a new generation of aircraft;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas the success of highly complex research and development projects in the field of clean aviation directly depends on financial and political support, including that of the EU institutions and the Member States; whereas multiple alliances on clean aviation have been formed, such as the Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation (AZEA), which are currently working on project pipelines but need effective EU support;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

– having regard to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Union and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC (Text with EEA relevance), and in particular the establishment of the Innovation Fund,

Amendment 30 #

H. whereas the success of highly complex research and development projects in the field of clean aviation directly depends on financial and political support, including that of the EU institutions and the Member States; whereas the public incentive to those projects is a key to attract private investment;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas electric and hybrid aviation could ~~bolster urban and regional air mobility, offering a whole range of innovative public transport solution~~provide an alternative to short-haul flights where planes are powered solely by fossil fuels;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas electric and hybrid aviation could bolster urban and regional air mobility and connectivity, offering a whole range of innovative public transport solutions;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital I

I. whereas electric and hybrid-electric aviation could bolster urban and regional air mobility, offering a whole range of innovative public transport solutions;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas electric aviation will improve competitive travel times over shorter distances through faster transfer; whereas electric aircraft will carry fewer passengers in small airplanes, which means less time spent on boarding and ground handling;deleted

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital J

J. whereas electric and hybrid aviation will improve competitive travel times over shorter distances through faster transfer; whereas electric aircraft will carry fewer passengers in small airplanes, which means less time spent on boarding and ground handling;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas the aviation sector ~~has had a sharp reminder of its vulnerability to pandemics and economic shocks;~~ in the EU received financial support for a sum of €37 billion in response to the pandemic without any conditionality on decarbonisation measures10a; whereas the pandemic led to further development of technological platforms that partially can replace the need for business trips and reduce aviation transport demand; _________________ 10a Transport & Environment (2021). One year of airline bailouts: what have we learned?

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas the aviation sector has had a sharp reminder of its vulnerability to pandemics, geopolitics and economic shocks; whereas, however, the aviation sector proved its key role in keeping the supply chain uninterrupted, especially for essential goods;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)

Ka. whereas private jets powered by fossil fuels have a disproportionate impact on the environment and can emit in just one hour two tonnes of CO2 where the average person in the EU emits 8.2 tCO2eq over the course of an entire year; whereas private jets are 5 to 14 times more polluting than commercial planes (per passenger), and 50 times more polluting than trains10b; _________________ 10b Transport & Environment (2021). Private jets: can the super-rich supercharge zero-emission aviation?

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)

Ka. whereas safety shall remain the number one priority of aviation;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)

– having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ‘A Drone Strategy 2.0 for a Smart and Sustainable Unmanned Aircraft Eco-System in Europe’ (COM(2022) 652),

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Observes the importance of regional airports in the Union for short and medium-range electric flight operations; highlights the potential of regional airports as multimodal innovation hubs throughout the whole supply chain, benefiting research and competition not only in the aviation sector but also in other transport sectors such as road, maritime and rail; therefore, asks the Commission to confirm its financial support for regional airports;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Observes the importance of ~~regional airport~~small and medium sized enterprises in the Union for short and medium-range electric flight operations; highlights the potential of ~~regional airports as innovation hub~~small and medium sized enterprises throughout the whole supply chain, benefiting research and competition not only in the aviation sector but also in other transport sectors such as road, maritime and rail;

Amendment 42 #

Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Is convinced that cleaner, faster and more convenient ~~air~~ transport options would increase connectivity and accessibility in smaller, more isolated and sparsely populated areas, including island regions, and particularly in terms of access to public services, the creation of job opportunities and more sustainable tourism; notes that the focus in these areas should be on rail, bus and shipping modes of transport;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Is convinced that cleaner, faster and more convenient air transport options would increase connectivity and accessibility in smaller, more isolated and sparsely populated areas, including island regions and outermost regions, and particularly in terms of access to public services, the creation of job opportunities and more sustainable tourism;

Amendment 44 #

Cláudia MONTEIRO DE AGUIAR

3. Stresses that, when faced with geographical barriers, the time saved using electric flights as a new means of public transport that does not rely on existing roads or rail tracks can be considerable; refers to the experience of the Nordic countries, which combine geographies characterised by fjords, lakes and mountains, a low population density and a strong focus on sustainable energy, and outermost regions, which are characterised by their insularity, remoteness, small size, difficult topography and climate11; asks the Commission to explore this potential in close cooperation with the relevant regions and Member States; _________________ 11 Accessibility study for electric aviation. Part of the project Electric Aviation and the Effect on Nordic Regions.

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that, when faced with geographical barriers, ~~the time saved using~~ electric flights as a ~~new~~ means of ~~public~~ transport ~~that does not rely on existing roads or rail tracks can be considerable; refers to the experience of the Nordic countri~~could help cut greenhouse gases, air polluting emissions and noise pollution on those routes where planes currently run on fossil fuels; stresses that prioritisation should be given to those routes, which c~~ombine geographies characterised by fjords, lakes and mountains, a low population density and a strong focus on sustainable energy11~~ annot be easily replaced by other more sustainable modes of transport such as rail and shipping; asks the Commission to explore this potential in close cooperation with the relevant regions and Member States; ~~_________________ 11 Accessibility study for electric aviation. Part of the project Electric Aviation and the Effect on Nordic Regions.~~

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that, when faced with geographical barriers, the time saved using more electric flights as a new means of public transport that does not rely on existing roads or rail tracks can be considerable; refers to the experience of the Nordic countries, which combine geographies characterised by fjords, lakes and mountains, a low population density and a strong focus on sustainable energy11 ; asks the Commission to explore this potential in close cooperation with the relevant regions and Member States; _________________ 11 Accessibility study for electric aviation. Part of the project Electric Aviation and the Effect on Nordic Regions.

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Stresses that the aviation sector’s non-CO2 emissions have at least as big an effect as CO2 emissions; deplores that no legislation is currently in place to reduce non-CO2 emissions of aviation; notes in this context that electric flights are the only aviation alternative that does not emit nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter nor create contrails;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that the outermost regions will be difficult to connect to Europe’s mainland via electric aviation owing to their remoteness and the limited battery capacity of the aircraft; highlights, however, the potential of electric aviation in ensuring connectivity between the outermost regions, contributing to their development and partially alleviating the negative consequences for their economy resulting from their difficult topography; stresses the need for financial, substantive and technical support for the outermost regions in order to ensure that the infrastructure necessary for fast and reliable charging of batteries, the servicing of eVTOL aircraft and the training of highly qualified technicians and operators develops at an appropriate pace;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)

– having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ‘Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy – putting European transport on track to the future’ (COM(2020) 789),

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Highlights that, despite the rapid technological developments of eVTOLs, currently they are still limited to 6 seats, while fixed wing electric aircraft are already able to carry more people on both existing and new urban air routes; asks the Commission to differentiate both potentials as they use different technologies and serve different markets; adds, however, that both eVTOLs and fixed wing electric aircraft have to be seen as complementary forms of new urban air mobility;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Reiterates the Commission’s vision that eVTOLs, as expressed through the Commission's Drone Strategy 2.0, are set to become a staple of passenger transport by 2030, integrating into existing transportation systems and contributing to the decarbonisation of the European Union, while minimising adverse environmental impacts1a; _________________ 1a See "Accessibility study for electric aviation. Part of the project Electric Aviation and the Effect on Nordic Regions", Tove Lundberg, 2022 (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3b35 687163744e69a6966b5b9fad976e).

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

~~5. Considers that the electrification of regional aviation could make previously abandoned routes economically viable, boosting regional development and attracting new regional investment;~~deleted

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Considers that the electrification of regional aviation could make previously abandoned routes economically viable, boosting regional development and attracting new regional investment; underlines that hybridation presents credible prospects given the constraints of regional aviation in terms of autonomy and number of passengers;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Considers that the electrification of regional aviation could make previously abandoned routes economically viable, boosting regional development and attracting new regional investment; points out that given the limitations on the range and capacity of electric aircraft, ‘regional electric aviation’ should be defined;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Considers that the electrification of regional aviation could make previously abandoned routes economically viable improving connectivity, boosting regional development and attracting new regional investment;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Highlights that aircraft with electric engines cause close to zero operational and noise pollution, meaning that no local emissions are created that could adversely affect the health of citizens living close to airports; stresses that noise reduction achieved through electric aviation can affect the situation of some airports, e.g. by increasing capacity where it was previously restricted owing to environmental constraints or by removing restricted use zones;

Amendment 57 #

Markus FERBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Highlights that aircraft with electric engines cause close to zero operational and noise pollution, meaning that no local emissions are created that could adversely affect the health of citizens living close to airports; considers therefore that especially low decibel airplanes should benefit from simplified procedures to obtain noise related permits or derogations from flight restrictions;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Highlights that aircraft with electric engines cause close to zero operational ~~and noise~~ pollution, meaning ~~that no~~reduction of local emissions ~~are created~~ that could adversely affect the health of citizens living close to airports;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Highlights that aircraft with electric engines cause close to zero operational ~~and noise~~ pollution, meaning that noless local emissions are created that could adversely affect the health of citizens living close to airports;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12

– having regard to its resolution of 10 May 2012 on the future of regional airports and air services in the EU5 and its resolution of 16 February 2017 on an Aviation Strategy for Europe5a, _________________ 5 OJ C 261 E, 10.9.2013, p. 1. 5a OJ C 252, 18.7.2018, p. 284–293.

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Stresses the need to capitalize on the potential of significantly lower noise of electric and hybrid aircraft; urges industry to make use of EASA work in defining the first Environmental Protection Technical Specification for the noise assessment of certain eVTOL aircraft that aims to provide a high, uniform level of environmental protection for European citizens and facilitate their integration into the aviation ecosystem and urban environment;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Argues that the substantial needs related to the replacement of the civil fleet represent ~~not only~~ a challenge ~~but~~and require enormous financial investment, but are also a major market opportunity that could lead to new jobs and skills for the whole transport sector in Europe;

Amendment 62 #

7. Argues that the substantial needs related to the replacement of the civil fleet represent not only a challenge but also a ~~major~~ market opportunity that could lead to new jobs and skills ~~for the whole transport sector in Europe~~;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Strongly believes that ~~electric and hybrid aircraft could offer new possibilities for urban mobility~~improving and expanding existing public transport options, including metro, rail, bus and shared mobility devices within urban areas, should be the focus of transport authorities in improving urban mobility; recognises that the costs associated with using electric aircraft as taxis within urban areas is likely to be prohibitive; welcomes the work undertaken by EASA on vertiports and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft intended to be used as air taxis, as well as its work on the design of the necessary ground infrastructure for safe urban air mobility operations12 ; acknowledges however that the social benefits of eVTOLs still need to be demonstrated and underlines that air taxis should not create additional energy needs12a; _________________ 12 EASA, Vertiports. Prototype Technical Specifications for the Design of VFR Vertiports for Operation of with Manned VTOL-Capable Aircraft Certified in the Enhanced Category (PTS-VPT-DSN), March 2022. 12a Study on the societal acceptance of Urban Air Mobility in Europe, EASA (2021).

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Strongly believes that electric and hybrid aircraft could offer new possibilities for urban mobility; welcomes the work undertaken by EASA on vertiports and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft intended to be used as air taxis, as well as its work on the design of the necessary ground infrastructure for safe urban air mobility operations12 ; welcomes the activities undertaken so far by EASA to adapt the aviation regulatory framework to facilitate the entry into the market of the aircraft that use electric or hydrogen propulsion and stresses the key role of EASA in certification of these types of aircraft that could speed up their development; _________________ 12 EASA, Vertiports. Prototype Technical Specifications for the Design of VFR Vertiports for Operation of with Manned VTOL-Capable Aircraft Certified in the Enhanced Category (PTS-VPT-DSN), March 2022.

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Strongly believes that electric and hybrid aircraft could offer new possibilities for urban mobility; welcomes the work undertaken by EASA on ~~vertiports and electric vertical take-off and landing (~~eVTOL) aircraft intended to be used as air taxis, as well as its work on the design of the necessary ground infrastructure for safe urban air mobility operations12 ; _________________ 12 EASA, Vertiports. Prototype Technical Specifications for the Design of VFR Vertiports for Operation of with Manned VTOL-Capable Aircraft Certified in the Enhanced Category (PTS-VPT-DSN), March 2022.

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Highlights that the use of private jets, regardless of the propulsion system used, should be avoided as the energy required to power such planes is considerably greater than alternative modes of transport; recognises however that as private jets are usually smaller in size and used for short to medium distances, they are ideally suited for electric and hydrogen propulsion; notes that any additional costs of zero-emission technology is unlikely to be prohibitive to the users of private jets; suggests therefore that the fleet of private jets ought to be the first to completely electrify and legislation should ensure this;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Considers that low- and zero- emission targets will also be reached based on hybrid-electric technologies for regional and international short/medium- range flights, for both commercial and business aviation, and calls for needed R&D investments for aircraft and propulsion systems design, batteries and other hybrid solutions;

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Considers that ~~while~~as short and mid- range flights account for a ~~frac~~lmost a half of aviation of emissions, ~~every~~all electrifiedcation of existing routes represents a reduction in aviation’s climate and environmental footprint ~~and is a worthwhile investment~~; insists that pooling of the necessary investment must start now;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Pending the expansion of electric aviation, the Member States should consider revisiting their legislation banning short- and medium-haul flights;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)

– having regard to the EASA special certification conditions SC E-19 for electric/hybrid propulsion systems,

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Insists that developing electric aviation for commercial use requires effective support at both national and EU level; ~~stresses the very positive results achieved with the help of public procurement and considers it to be an effective tool for the electrification of the industry without disrupting the market;~~

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Insists that developing electric aviation for commercial use requires effective financial and regulatory support at both national and EU level; stresses the very positive results achieved with the help of public procurement and considers it to be an effective tool for the electrification of the industry without disrupting the market;

Amendment 72 #

Mario FURORE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Stresses that hydrogen can play a significant role in reducing emissions; points out that companies are placing their hopes in electric aircraft for smaller- scale solutions and hydrogen aircraft for larger ones; takes the view in that connection that an infrastructure policy for the building of hydrogen-production and storage facilities at airports is needed;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Notes that there are many short- and mid-range flights in Europe; calls on the Commission, in cooperation with Eurocontrol and EASA, to identify the flight routes that are most suitable for full electrification and would result in more significant CO2 reductions as this will help the connected airports to start the necessary adaptations;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Considers that EU companies active in the field of electrifying the aviation sector should work in closer cooperation with national and EU authorities to develop an integrated technical roadmap and joint research programmes; welcomes the work undertaken under the Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation; stresses that this is essential for the EU to maintain its industrial leadership and competitiveness on the international scene;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Considers the need to examine the possibility of modifying existing EU state aid rules to enable the creation of a targeted investment framework that builds on public and private funding to support the emerging resource intensive eVTOL sector in order to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy in this area, as eVTOLs are bound to become a strategic part of the transport sector;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Notes in this regard that infrastructure for electric aircraft and the electrification of sites such as airports is not sufficiently developed yet; stresses that in order to have a proper rollout of electric aircraft, the Commission and the Member States have to properly implement the AFIR regulation to further promote electrification of sites; highlights the usefulness of dedicated infrastructure funding projects in this regard such as the Connecting Europe Facility for transport and energy; further encourages the Member States and regional governments to undertake necessary infrastructure projects for electric flight on national, regional and local level;

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Notes that smaller electric aircraft can potentially operate from existing shorter and simpler runways, which could reduce the need for large and expensive infrastructure in the future;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Stresses that the energy infrastructure planning and readiness will also determine the take up of electric- and hydrogen-based aviation; recalls in this respect that, under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, the Commission shall evaluate at the end of 2026 and every 5 years the current state and future development of the market for hydrogen and electric propulsion aviation; moreover, calls the Commission, ahead of its revision of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, to assess the need to further strengthen the current provisions for the deployment of infrastructure for hydrogen and electric aircraft;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Stresses that, after shifting to alternative propulsion systems, existing large airports could consume 5-10 times more electricity by 2050 than they do today13; stresses that, to meet the expected energy demand, the first elements of on- airport infrastructure ~~must~~would need to be in place by 2025, and calls for the necessary investment to be secured; stresses that investment in energy infrastructure is the most important factor enabling the development of new technologies in aviation; points out that only once the infrastructure has been prepared and tested will we be able to deploy electric aviation; points out that the development of energy supply infrastructure is not aligned with the stated emission reduction targets and requirements, or with the restrictions on conventional aviation; _________________ 13 Target True Zero: Delivering the Infrastructure for Battery and Hydrogen- Powered Flight, World Economic Forum, April 2023, pp. 10-15.

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas by 2019, emissions from international aviation had increased by 146 % compared to 19906 ; whereas this share is expected to grow as demand for air travel increases, so a strong push for a modal shift to more sustainable modes of transportation should be the focal point of the green transition; _________________ 6 European Parliament, Emissions from planes and ships: facts and figures (infographic), updated on 15 June 2023.

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Stresses that, after shifting to alternative propulsion systems, existing large airports could consume 5-10 times more electricity by 2050 than they do today13 ; stresses that, to meet the expected energy demand, the first elements of on- airport infrastructure must be in place by 2025; therefore, calls on the Commission and the Member States to assess the current state and future development of the electric and hydrogen market for aviation including a feasibility study on the deployment of the relevant infrastructure to power aircraft, followed by a deployment plan for alternative fuels infrastructure in airports, in particular for electric recharging and hydrogen refuelling points, and calls for the necessary investment to be secured; _________________ 13 Target True Zero: Delivering the Infrastructure for Battery and Hydrogen- Powered Flight, World Economic Forum, April 2023, pp. 10-15.

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Given that technological trends in various transport sectors are moving in the same direction, welcomes the existing cross-industry research and development partnerships14 between air and automotive industries (on the development of the next generation of batteries and fuel cells), air and shipping (on the use of alternative fuels) and air and railways (on electrical distribution systems); _________________ 14 Airbus and Renault Group to advance research on electrification.

Amendment 84 #

14a. Points out that while electric and hybrid-electric aircraft hold immense promise for a more sustainable aviation future, their current generation of batteries presents significant challenges, primarily related to weight and energy density; notes that these limitations impact the range, payload capacity, and overall efficiency of electric aircraft;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Calls on the aviation industry to be a part of the industries' efforts to provide the supply chain for critical raw materials;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recalls that electric aircraft operations involve stringent requirements for batteries to be light, compact, quickly rechargeable and provide the high power required for the take-off and climb segments; underlines that such high performance batteries require critical raw materials, often not available in Europe;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recalls that electric aircraft operations involve stringent requirements for batteries to be, first of all, safe, then light, compact, quickly rechargeable and provide the high power required for the take-off and climb segments;

Amendment 88 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recalls that electric aircraft operations involve stringent requirements for batteries to be safe, light, compact, quickly rechargeable and provide the high power required for the take-off and climb segments;

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Notes that uncertainties regarding battery life expectancy and residual values are significant challenges faced by the electric aviation industry; points out that these uncertainties have a direct impact on insurance premiums, making investments in electric aircraft projects less attractive and potentially riskier;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas ~~50-55 % of~~ emissions could be reduced by shifting to SAF, ~~30-35 %~~ by deploying new technology, ~~5-10 %~~ by optimising aircraft operation and infrastructure, ~~and 5 %~~ by opting for new market-based measures~~7 ; _________________ 7 Waypoint 2050, Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders, Figure 2.~~, by reduced demand and modal shift;

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Recalls that the altitude conditions specific to air transport impose particular technical constraints on batteries, compared to other modes of transport;

Amendment 91 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)

15b. Highlights the potential of hydrogen aviation based on fuel cells, which is an alternative form of electric aviation, particularly in terms of autonomy;

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that continued improvements in battery and fuel cell technology,ies paired with more energy- efficient aircraft designs, can enable better environmental performance; reiterates that some of the biggest technological challenges faced by the industry currently include weights and dimensions of batteries, maximum power output of fuel cells, electric distribution and thermal systems, airframe integration and improving aerodynamics;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that continued improvements in battery and fuel cell technologyies, paired with more energy- efficient aircraft designs, can enable better environmental performance; reiterates that some of the biggest technological challenges faced by the industry currently include electric distribution and thermal systems, airframe integration and improving aerodynamics;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that continued improvements in battery and fuel cell technology, paired with more energy- efficient aircraft designs, can enable better environmental performance; reiterates that some of the biggest technological challenges faced by the industry currently include electric distribution and thermal systems, airframe integration and improving aerodynamics;

Amendment 95 #

Mario FURORE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Recalls that the scarcity of green hydrogen and the attendant infrastructure could delay the entry into service of hydrogen-powered aircraft; calls on the Commission to come up with a targeted strategy for hydrogen production and storage;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Stresses that the increased use of batteries in aeronautics will require the immediate set-up of an EU recycling industry compatible with the needs of the sector, in order to avoid the creation of new dependencies on the third countries;

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Stresses that the increased use of batteries in aeronautics will require the set-up of an EU recycling strategy compatible with the needs of the aeronautics sector;

Amendment 98 #

Caroline NAGTEGAAL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Recalls that the aeronautics industry is not only an important enabler of economic activity but also one of the most successful high-tech sectors in the EU; asks the Commission for proactive policies to support and develop the industry in close cooperation with existing forums such as the Advisory Council for Aviation Research and Innovation (ACARE) and the European Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation (AZEA); calls on the Commission to ensure that the existing EU regulations in the field do not counteract each other or prevent the aeronautics industry from developing its decarbonisation and electrification projects;

Amendment 99 #