Mobility and transport

For better road safety and air quality across the EU, the European Commission is proposing a comprehensive overhaul of the EU’s road safety and vehicle registration rules. The new rules will introduce enhanced inspections, including periodic technical inspections for electric vehicles and advanced driver-assistance systems, annual inspections for older cars and vans, and advanced emission testing methods to detect high-emitting vehicles to reduce fine particles pollution.

The European Commission welcomes the agreement at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as a meaningful step towards achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from global shipping by 2050. This is a historic deal in the fight against climate change, marking a significant advancement in reducing the environmental impact of the shipping industry on a global scale.

The implementation dialogue on high-speed rail, hosted by Commissioner Tzitzikostas, focused on improving EU rail connectivity. The meeting gathered key European industry leaders, social partners, and stakeholders in Brussels. During the dialogue, participants discussed the timely implementation of infrastructure projects and passenger services, such as barriers to booking and selling tickets.

The European Commission has adopted a new Implementing Regulation to support the uniform and effective provision of compatible, interoperable and real-time alternative fuels infrastructure data, further advancing the goals set out in the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). This milestone marks a concrete step in the implementation of AFIR and the transition towards more sustainable and digital transport solutions.

A new Eurobarometer survey released by the European Commission shows a growing demand for seamless travel, and especially for online booking services, which are already used by 76% of respondents. The Commission is advancing efforts to improve digital traveling services, and the survey's results will feed into this work.

The European Commission has adopted a crucial measure to enhance maritime safety and environmental protection around the EU’s coasts. The amendment to the  Vessel Monitoring Directive  introduces a new Delegated Directive that updates both existing and future Mandatory Ship Reporting Systems. All vessels, including those merely passing through EU waters without entering an EU port, are now required to provide insurance information.

According to a new European Commission study, the EU is facing a critical shortage of Safe and Secure Parking Areas (SSPAs) for professional drivers, with a current gap of 390,057 parking spaces that is expected to grow to 483,000 by 2040.

To facilitate Ukraine's access to global markets by enabling smoother transit through EU countries and strengthening trade links with the EU market, the EU and Ukraine have extended their Road Transport Agreement until 31 December 2025.

The European Commission adopted new legislation facilitating the authorisation of personnel carriages that can be integrated in freight trains. This means that in military transport, personnel will be able to travel with their equipment and ammunition across all of Europe’s main rail networks.

The second EU-Moldova Transport Dialogue took place in Chisinau in April. Co-chaired by Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Vladimir Bolea and the European Commission’s Director-General for Mobility and Transport, Magda Kopczyńska, the dialogue focused on further enhancing cooperation across all transport modes and discussing future initiatives in the transport sector.

In the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU, together with Ukraine and Moldova launched the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes in May 2022, establishing new transport routes to keep Ukraine’s imports and exports flowing via rail, road and inland waterways. Today, the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes have become a lifeline for Ukraine’s economy.

The Europe for Aviation partners are joining forces at Airspace World, taking place in Lisbon from 13-15 May 2025! The nine aviation partners will showcase how collaboration, innovation and sustainability are transforming European aviation. Find us at stand #H1894 to explore a range of exciting activities – from live demonstrations to thought-provoking mini-theatre sessions and #SESAR Walking Tours.

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport will participate at the ITS Congress on 19-21 May in Seville, Spain. The event brings together the worlds of mobility, technology, and innovation, gathering experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from industry and academia to better develop the field of intelligent transport systems (ITS).

The EU tourism stakeholder event on 27 May 2025 will offer an overview of the latest EU-level developments impacting the tourism ecosystem. Key topics will include the upcoming EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism, enhancing competitiveness and advancing single ticketing and multimodal travel solutions.

The communication will build on the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and set up a strategic plan to accelerate the implementation of an EU-wide high-speed rail network, structured around the following pillars: 1) enabling a citizen-oriented service model by facilitating EU-wide high-speed rail connectivity; 2) coordinated planning, financing, and implementation of infrastructure; 3) facilitating a profitable business model for operators and ensuring their competitiveness on the high-speed rail network.

The European Road Safety Charter, the largest civil society platform dedicated to road safety and led by the European Commission, has officially opened applications for the 2025 Excellence in Road Safety Awards. The awards recognise outstanding contributions from organisations, authorities, and companies within the Charter community towards fostering safer roads across Europe.

The European Commission is seeking for experts for the new Performance Review Board  (PRB) of the Single European Sky. The PRB will consist of seven members, including a chair, and will help in the implementation of the Single European Sky performance and charging scheme.