The energy efficiency directive adopted in 2022 obliges entrepreneurs to develop charging infrastructure. The directive is part of the FIT55 climate package. In 2018, the directive was supplemented with a requirement for the development of cable ducts and charging infrastructure. The government processed the directive quickly, and entrepreneurs did not have time to carefully review the documents.
The chairman of Isamaa, Urmas Reinsalu, said that the European Commission's impact analysis was based on incorrect data. He recommended conducting a new analysis that would assess Estonia's needs more accurately. Currently, there is no objective assessment of the European Union's obligations.
Eesti 200 member Peeter Tali said that entrepreneurs should have expressed their opinions earlier. Officials receive information from entrepreneurs when making decisions. Tali noted that the concerns of entrepreneurs were not reflected in the engagement table.
Former chairman of the Riigikogu Economic Affairs Committee Kristen Michal said that the directive's requirements are exaggerated. He recommended reviewing what is reasonable for Estonian entrepreneurs and consumers. Not every store needs so many charging points.
Now there are several options: postpone the implementation of the directive, find a national solution, or return the directive. Peeter Tali said that returning the directive is possible but difficult. It requires the support of 15 member states and over 65% of the EU population.
Urmas Reinsalu said that the current situation shows how decisions are made too quickly. He criticized plans to install charging points in store parking lots. In Reinsalu's opinion, the government should not set overly high climate goals.