Tag: clean cars

EXCLUSIVE / This year is likely to be the worst on record for car sales in the European market because of the recession, said Ivan Hodač, head of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association ACEA.

Plans to kick-start Europe’s low carbon vehicles industry with a huge infrastructure package ran into retro roadblocks at a meeting of EU transport ministers yesterday (11 March), with member states bemoaning the use of public funds to reach ambitious targets.

Tough new EU carbon dioxide emissions targets for cars are facing "dilution" due to heavy pushback from member states with strong auto-industry lobbies, such as Germany, according to an Irish presidency source, who was speaking on condition of anonymity at a press briefing on 16 January.

SPECIAL REPORT / The head of PSA Peugeot Citroën’s electric vehicles and mobility projects has called for the European Commission to legislate common tax and regulatory measures for electric cars across the continent.

Brussels is poised to set two new carbon emissions targets that all new cars will need to meet by 2025 and 2030, as well as a standard of 95 grams of CO2 emissions per km (g/km) for 2020, according to a draft regulation seen by EurActiv.

Four Toyota and Lexus hybrid petrol-electric vehicles were awarded top slots in the 2011/2012 edition of Verkehrsclub Deutschland's (Traffic Club of Germany; VCD) Environmental Car List, published on 18 August.

France's ambitious national strategy on electric cars is awaiting a clearer position from the European Union, EurActiv France reports.

Former UK prime minister Tony Blair, a contender for the post of the EU's first president, last week (20 August 2009) praised China's low-carbon drive, stressing that low-carbon technology, not giving up car ownership, would pave the way for a sustainable transport future.

Researchers grappling with the problem of developing the most fuel-efficient electric cars are using micro-jet turbine engines and 'supercapacity' batteries to help energy-conscious consumers drive further.

The European Parliament has endorsed a Commission proposal to make public authorities use 'green' criteria, including energy consumption and CO2 and pollutant emissions, when procuring vehicles for public transport fleets.

European environment ministers could today (5 June) agree to set deeper and longer-term CO2 targets for new cars. But green groups fear the move could be used as an excuse to put off stronger short-term action.

The European Parliament looks set to award carmakers an extra three years breathing space to implement heavy cuts in carbon dioxide emissions, to the outrage of Green MEPs, who insist that the whole EU climate strategy will be jeopardised if the automobile industry is let off the hook.

Carmakers should face fines for vehicles that fail to meet future EU CO2 emission limits, with manufacturers of even cleaner cars receiving financial rewards, according to a draft report by UK Liberal MEP Chris Davies, to be voted on later this year in Parliament. 

European automakers pooled together to show a unified front against EU proposals to limit CO2 emissions from new cars to 120 grammes per kilometre. But internal divisions remain as to how the burden of cuts should be shared between manufacturers.

A Commission proposal on reducing cars' carbon-dioxide releases has been delayed because commissioners are unable to agree on whether targets should be binding for manufacturers.

Automobile-sector research represents 30% of overall EU industrial R&D. Most investments are made to reconcile the need to reduce emissions with our dependence on fossil fuels and the demand for enhanced mobility.

A proposal to introduce an EU-wide car tax based on CO2 emissions won backing from the European Parliament. But unanimity voting in Council means the proposal is likely to be vetoed.

The European Commission has launched an online public consultation on the review of the EU strategy for reducing CO2 emissions from cars and increasing their fuel efficiency.

Top policy-makers and industry executives have handed over a ten-year roadmap to simplify EU automotive regulation, improve safety and reduce pollution. Concern over access to Chinese markets could lead to a new WTO dispute.

The Commission is considering new tougher standards on car pollution, which could enter into force by mid 2008. For the first time, the rules will be extended to four-wheel drives and heavy SUVs.

During a symposium on 'clean technologies', Belgium has pledged to work for sustainable mobility in the car industry through public-private partnerships.