The European Commission has unveiled a wide-ranging transport package aimed at speeding up the growth of Europe’s high-speed rail network and stepping up investment in renewable and low-carbon fuels for aviation and shipping.
Centered on competitiveness and sustainability, the EU transport package aims to make the EU’s transport system cleaner, better connected and more resilient. The measures announced cover two major domains: rail, where Europe already stands as a global sustainability leader and fuels, where increased investment is seen as crucial for advancing the continent’s energy transition.
The newly unveiled High-Speed Rail Action Plan outlines concrete steps to create a more interconnected and interoperable European network by 2040. Its goal is to cut travel times, strengthen regional links, and make rail a preferred choice over short-haul air routes, ultimately supporting passenger growth, tourism, and regional development.
Building on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), the plan envisions connecting major cities at speeds of 200 km/h or higher. Travel time from Berlin to Copenhagen would fall to four hours from seven, while Sofia to Athens would drop to six hours from nearly fourteen. New cross-border corridors, such as Paris–Lisbon via Madrid, and improved links among the Baltic capitals are also planned.
To realise this network, the Commission proposes four key action pillars:
- Removing cross-border bottlenecks by 2027, with feasibility studies for higher-speed routes exceeding 250 km/h where viable.
- Developing a coordinated investment strategy involving governments, financiers, and industry through a High-Speed Rail Deal.
- Improving the business environment for rail operators by upgrading ticketing systems, developing a second-hand market for rolling stock, advancing digital rail management, and promoting R&D and partnerships.
- Strengthening EU-level governance by requiring infrastructure managers to coordinate on capacity and standardisation for long-distance services.
These steps are expected not only to shorten journeys but also to relieve congestion on traditional lines, creating more space for freight and night trains while enhancing Europe’s industrial and tourism competitiveness.
The second part of the EU transport package, the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP), focuses on driving more funding toward renewable and low-carbon fuels for the aviation and maritime sectors. To meet the RefuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime goals, about 20 million tonnes of sustainable fuels will be needed by 2035, supported by roughly €100 billion in investments.
Through STIP, the Commission wants to give investors confidence that the EU remains committed to its climate-neutral goals by boosting homegrown fuel production and cutting dependence on imported fossil energy. Among its investment measures are:
- At least €2 billion for sustainable alternative fuels through InvestEU.
- €300 million via the European Hydrogen Bank for hydrogen-based fuels in aviation and shipping.
- €446 million for synthetic fuel initiatives through the Innovation Fund.
- €133.5 million for fuel-related research and development under Horizon Europe.
Additionally, the Commission and Member States plan to launch an eSAF Early Movers Coalition by the end of 2025 to mobilise at least €500 million for synthetic aviation fuel projects. The Commission also plans to set up a system that connects fuel producers with buyers, helping to cut investment risks and give the market more stability.
In the longer run, the EU aims to build stronger international partnerships to grow global fuel supply chains that meet its sustainability standards, ensuring fair competition for European industries while pushing the clean-energy transition worldwide.
