Implementing the EU’s proposed 2020 auto-standard of 95 grams of CO2 per km (g/km) for automobiles and 147 g/km for vans - as a stand-alone measure - could result in 356,000 new jobs, says the report by Cambridge Econometrics and Ricardo-AEA.
But if the realised target were 90 g/km for cars and 141 g/km for vans with annual 3% (and not 1%) efficiency gains in the following years, the jobs harvest could top 443,000.
“Over-achieving on targets is a plausible scenario, because several automakers have already met their 2015 goals ahead of time,” the report says.
Around one-third of the forecast new jobs would be created in the auto-industry value chain, due to the labour intensity of the low-carbon car manufacturing process. The other two-thirds would result from a shift in spending away from fossil fuels to other areas.
But the jobs gains would not accrue until 2030, due to the 10-year period it takes for an uptake of new cars to feed through to the economy.
The report also finds that efficiency improvements would add an extra €1,000-€1,100 to the cost of an average car in 2020, but that this would be offset for consumers by fuel savings in the long run.
Fiona Hall, the environment committee member tasked with managing the passage of the EU's legislation through the European Parliament, welcomed the paper.
"Cutting the CO2 emissions from cars not only helps tackle climate change, but it also creates new jobs in auto technology companies and gives a boost to Europe's economy by reducing our spending on expensive oil imports," the British MEP said.
Contradictory estimates
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), though, argues that increased prices of this type encourage customers to buy used high carbon-emitting cars, rather than greener but more expensive vehicles.
"There is no real proof that more stringent regulation leads to new jobs in Europe,” said Cara McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for ACEA. “The spillover effects are questionable and there are a number of contradictory estimates with no clear positive effects on the EU economy.”
The Cambridge Econometrics and Ricardo-AEA report was compiled using data from the auto-industry, models applied by the European Commission, and fuel projections from the International Energy Agency.
Some Industry groups like the European Aluminium Association (EAA) welcomed the paper, for the boost it could give to the use of lighter car manufacturing materials.
“Opting for lightweight solutions not only has a positive climate impact but also a real economic advantage,” said Gerd Götz, the EAA’s director general.
He added that it was “a must in the current economic situation.”
European Parliament vote
The report comes as the European parliament’s industry committee prepares to vote on an opinion of the EU’s proposed 2020 CO2 standard on Tuesday (19 March).
The MEPs' opinion calls for delaying any decision on auto targets for 2025 and 2030 beyond the EU’s favoured 31 December 2014 deadline.
Several other amendments weakening the Commission’s proposals by widening exemptions and derogations in the legislation’s super-credits clauses have also been tabled by the centre-right European People’s Party.
The key vote on the proposed new legislation will take place on 25 April in the Parliament's environment committee, which has the lead on the legislation.
_stack2.jpg){kind=small}