Zabala Innovation achieves total success in the first cut-off of CEF Transport AFIF 2024

Zabala Innovation has achieved a 100% success rate in the first cut-off of the 2024 call for the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), significantly surpassing the average success rate of 66%. “Our success reflects the commitment and expertise of our team in supporting proposals that contribute to more sustainable mobility in Europe,” highlights Sergio Úbeda, European Projects Consultant and Head of the Transport Area at Zabala Innovation.

The CEF AFIF 2024 call remains open for applications, with €578 million still available for allocation. The next submission deadline is 11 June 2025. “Companies interested in participating in this initiative can rely on Zabala Innovation to maximise their chances of securing European funding,” adds Úbeda.

On Thursday, the European Commission announced the allocation of nearly €422 million to 39 projects selected from the 59 submitted in the first cut-off of the CEF Transport AFIF 2024 call. These projects aim to deploy alternative fuel supply infrastructure across the trans-European transport network (TEN-T), with the objective of reducing emissions and advancing towards greener mobility.

Among the funded initiatives, the programme will support the installation of approximately 2,500 electric recharging points for light-duty vehicles and 2,400 for heavy-duty vehicles along the European TEN-T road network. Additionally, 35 hydrogen refuelling stations for cars, trucks, and buses will be implemented, along with the electrification of ground handling services at eight airports, the decarbonisation of nine ports, and the development of two ammonia and methanol bunkering facilities.

A call for mature projects

The second phase of the AFIF priority under the CEF Transport programme (2024-2025), launched on 29 February 2024, has a total budget of €1 billion, with €780 million allocated under the general envelope and €220 million under the cohesion envelope. This initiative supports the implementation of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which sets requirements for publicly accessible electric recharging pools and hydrogen refuelling stations in the EU’s key transport corridors and hubs. It also aligns with the ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime regulations, which seek to reduce the carbon footprint of aviation and maritime transport.

Following this first cut-off of the CEF Transport AFIF 2024 call, the second cut-off still has €568 million available (€424 million for the general envelope and €154 million for the cohesion envelope) to support mature investment projects. These projects must be backed by a letter of support from a public or private financial institution established in the EU and endorsed by the Member States where the investment is deployed. The financial support letter must guarantee the formalisation of an agreement covering at least 10% of the planned investment within 12 months of applying for the grant. The objective is to support the deployment of alternative fuel supply infrastructure contributing to the decarbonisation of transport along the TEN-T.

Beyond support for high-power recharging stations and hydrogen refuelling stations, CEF AFIF offers new funding opportunities for megawatt recharging stations for heavy-duty vehicles, electricity and hydrogen supply at airports, and electricity supply and ammonia and methanol bunkering facilities in ports.

The Connecting Europe Facility

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is a key European Union programme designed to promote growth, employment, and competitiveness through targeted investments in European infrastructure. This initiative supports investment in digital, transport, and energy networks across Europe, with the aim of completing the TEN-T and facilitating the transition towards a low-carbon economy.

As the European Union progresses in its decarbonisation and energy transition agenda, Zabala Innovation continues to lead in supporting entities operating in this field. The consultancy provides comprehensive solutions that enable organisations to access European funding and develop projects that deliver added value to both society and the environment.