The European Commission has unveiled a strategy on low-emission mobility, paving the way for the development of EU-wide measures on low and zero-emission vehicles and alternative low-emissions fuels.

This strategy lays down guiding principles to member states so that they are well equipped to respond to the increasing mobility needs of people and goods in the future.

EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said: “Transport accounts for a quarter of Europe's greenhouse gas emissions and is a main cause of air pollution.

"The strategy we adopted today presents a roadmap towards low-emission mobility and will give an impetus to that shift."

"The transition to low-emission mobility is therefore essential to reach the EU's ambitious climate objectives and to improve the quality of life in our cities.

“It is also an opportunity to modernise the EU's economy and keep Europe's industry competitive.

"The strategy we adopted today presents a roadmap towards low-emission mobility and will give an impetus to that shift.”

The strategy focuses on increasing the efficiency of the transport system by making use of digital technologies, smart pricing and further encouraging the shift to lower emission transport modes.

It also calls for speeding up the deployment of low-emission alternative energy for transport, such as advanced biofuels, renewable electricity and renewable synthetic fuels and eliminating obstacles to the electrification of transport.

The strategy also focuses on the need for zero-emission vehicles and has urged for further improvements to the internal combustion engine.