Last year, the European Commission put forward a Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, aiming to a greener, smarter and more resilient European transport sector.
In addition, the European Parliament published, in April 2021, a briefing on the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. This briefing looks at the policy and other support that the European Commission is providing for local and regional authorities to facilitate the mobility transition. It highlights the opportunity to start transforming the transport system from the local level.
The briefing reflects on some challenges to territorial cohesion and connectivity with some specifications for rural areas:
- While EU cohesion policy addresses regional disparities and encompasses all EU regions, it offers little in terms of a structured approach towards low-density and depopulated regions.
- The Commission insists that mobility must be available and affordable for all, and rural and remote regions become better connected. It plans to address these aspects within a long-term vision for rural areas.
- Recharging points for alternative fuels will also have to be installed across regions and in rural areas.
- With longer distances driven on a daily basis, electric vehicles are a relevant choice for rural inhabitants who are more penalised by environmental taxes and the lack of convenient public transport.