European Commission publishes Cars 2020 Action Plan "for industry competitiveness and sustainability"
Fri 09 November 2012
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The European Commission has tabled its CARS 2020 Action Plan which aims to reinforce the industry's competitiveness and sustainability heading towards 2020. The Action Plan is linked to Commission proposals with the label 'Horizon 2020' under which there will be €80bn for measures to boost research, innovation and competitiveness in Europe across a range of sectors. The Commission proposes to streamline research and innovation under the European Green Vehicle Initiative. It also intends to set up an Alternative Fuels Strategy, develop a new driving test cycle that produces results closer to 'real world' conditions, promote dialogue around a voluntary fuel labelling scheme and more closely monitor biofuels blending rates used in different member states.
The Commission says that innovation in the automotive industry will also be stimulated through a comprehensive package of measures to reduce CO2, pollutant and noise emissions, to drive improvements in road safety and develop technologically-advanced intelligent transport systems (ITS).
In parallel, the Commission also proposes to address the immediate problems in the car sector. In response to a fall in demand on European car markets and plant closure announcements, the Commission will bring together key stakeholders to review measures for dealing with the present crisis in a co-ordinated way.
The Action Plan comprises concrete proposals for policy initiatives grouped under 'four pillars' which are intended to:
1.Promote investment in advanced technologies and innovation for clean vehicles,
2.Improve market conditions
3.Support industry in accessing the global market
4.Promote investment in skills and training to accompany structural change and anticipate employment and skills needs
Under the first 'pillar' the Commission proposes to develop a proposal on the European Green Vehicles Initiative enabling clear identification and information on the research and innovation funding available to the transport industry, setting a clear thematic priority of energy-efficiency and alternative powertrains. Under this pillar it also intends to implement the 2020 CO2 targets for cars and vans and to start a broad consultation on CO2 regulatory policy for cars and vans beyond 2020.
The Commission proposes to actively support the development and implementation of a new driving test-cycle and test procedure to measure fuel consumption and emissions from cars and vans in a way that is more representative of real-world driving.
Thee will also be a definition of complementary measures controlling vehicle pollutant emissions in use, based on a thorough analysis, with the aim of delivering a timely reduction of real-world pollutant emissions, hence, contributing to improved air quality.
The Commission also intends to set up an Alternative Fuels Strategy supporting the need for a range of alternative fuels, covering electricity, hydrogen, sustainable biofuels, natural gas and LPG and adopt a legislative proposal on alternative fuel infrastructure, concerning the deployment of a minimum refuelling/recharging infrastructure and common standards for certain fuels, including electric vehicles.
It also announced its intention to promote dialogue with relevant stakeholders on a voluntary fuel labelling scheme and to monitor the implementation of the National Renewable Energy Action Plans, in particular the effective biofuel blending rates used in different Member States and the compatibility of fuels with vehicle technologies.
It aims to ensure by a legislative measure that practical and satisfactory solutions for the infrastructure side of the recharging interface for electric vehicles are implemented throughout the EU.
European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: "Europe produces the best cars in the world. The Commission wants this leadership to be maintained, moving even further ahead in safety and environmental performance. The Commission is therefore today presenting a strategy for the EU automotive industry and will also take urgent action to address this sector's current difficulties and restructuring in a co-ordinated way.
In its response to the proposals, T&E said that the Commission has gone back on a series of commitments to reduce the environmental impacts of road vehicles. T&E says the climbdown carries the fingerprints of lobbying by the automotive industry, but will not help Europe’s car makers in the long term.
T&E said the proposals leave out strategies to tackle climate change from road freight emissions and omit previously announced plans for car fuel efficiency labels to help drivers choose more economic models. T&E said that the Reuters news agency confirms it saw a draft of the action plan written in October that has the commitments to labelling and reducing lorry emissions redacted out.
T&E argues the omissions are counterproductive. Whilst the industry continues to lobby against environmental regulations it considers cost it money, a range of recent studies indicates stricter fuel economy standards create jobs and economic value.
In its response the European manufacturers association, ACEA, welcomed the report saying that now more than ever, the industry needs a supportive framework and strong industrial policy in order to keep jobs and production in Europe. ACEA
ACEA Secretary General Ivan Hodac said: “Recent events show that the car industry in the EU is undergoing an important process of adaptation and restructuring right now. The EU should urgently use all the means at its disposal to mitigate the social and economic consequences of this process. In particular, it should explore ways to improve labour flexibility and support the affected workers and regions."
ACEA said it supports a number of proposals made in the Communications, such as making ‘clean vehicles’ an investment priority; carrying out a ‘fitness check’ of EU legislation on type-approval of motor vehicles; and conducting a ‘competitiveness proofing’ of all major initiatives that have a significant impact on the automotive industry in the areas of trade, transport, energy and climate policy.
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