ACEA

CO2 Emissions
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Our members

Reducing CO2 emissions

Climate change is a global challenge which demands collective action and international cooperation. The automotive sector is playing a leading role, embracing its responsibility to reduce CO2 emissions from products in-use and production sites.

VIDEOS

Interview with
Ivan Hodac
on electric vehicles

Speech by Jeremy Rifkin
on sustainable energy
and transport policies

COP 15: Ivan Hodac
on the automobile industry
and climate change

Copenhagen: Automakers reaffirm their commitment to sustainable mobility

As world focus turns to the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December, European automakers re-affirm their commitment to sustainable mobility at the heart of their business strategies.

Cars, Trucks and the Environment

updated: Using limited resources responsibly and protecting our environment: these are probably the greatest assignments of society today. European automobile manufacturers have an important role to play.

ACEA members support global solution for new cooling refrigerants

The transition to alternative refrigerant systems for Mobile Air Conditioning Systems (MAC) represents a significant technical and industrial challenge. The overall efficiency of air-conditioning systems is affected by many external parameters, such as temperature and humidity. In addition, the available alternatives all have their specific requirements in terms of storage, operating conditions, car design and system maintenance.

Over 50 CO2-cutting technologies introduced up to date

Over the past decade, a large range of new CO2 efficient solutions have been brought to market. Others are in the pipeline for introduction over the next few years. The industry spends € 20 billion annually or 4% of its turnover on R&D.

Deploying eco-innovative technologies to reduce CO2 emissions

The European automotive industry has identified multiple eco-innovative car technologies to reduce CO2 emissions: systems & components, running resistance, well-to-wheel efficiency, smart navigation and driver information.

CO2 News Ticker

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Frequently Asked Questions on CO2

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Frequently Asked Questions on Labelling

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European Car Industry has Long-standing Environmental Track Record

The European vehicle manufacturers are technology leaders and have a long-standing track record in improving the environmental performance of their cars, trucks, buses and coaches.

Full ACEA Environmental Track Record Dossier

Lead-time is Essential: Car's Concept and Production Phase Take up to 12 Years

Cars are highly complex and innovative products. Their development - from design to production logistics - takes up to 5 years. Their product cycle, or the time they are kept in production, comprises up to 7 years.

Biofuels are essential in overall approach to reduce CO2 emissions

Biofuels remain essential for reducing CO2 emissions today, with the right sustainability criteria and robust technical standards applied.

ACEA biofuel statement

CO2-related Taxation is a Must

CO2-based taxation of cars and of alternative fuels has a significant CO2 reduction potential by shaping consumer demand and setting economic incentives.

Eco-driving: Easy to Apply, Impressive Results

Fuel-efficient driving ("Eco-driving") can significantly reduce fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions. Slight changes in driving style enable drivers to exploit fully the fuel-efficiency potential of modern technologies.

Congestion Causes CO2 Emissions

Infrastructure measures have an enormous potential to reduce CO2 emissions. Cars that are stuck in traffic jams or have to stop for every traffic light simply waste fuel. Reducing road congestion through better road design and intelligent traffic management technologies offers effective solutions.

ACEA 1998 Commitment has Significantly Cut CO2 Emissions from Cars

As part of its commitment to reduce CO2 emissions from cars, the European car industry has signed an agreement in 1998 to contribute to tackling man-made climate change, and will continue to make substantial efforts.

AIRCONDITIONING - ACEA members will replace cooling refrigerants

The European automobile manufacturers will change the cooling refrigerant used in the air conditioning systems of their vehicles in accordance with the European requirements on MAC (mobile air conditioning), in particular Directive 2006/40/EC, to better meet environmental needs.

Higly Efficient Cars are Available, But Not Much Loved

The automobile manufacturers have put new cars on the market emitting 120 gCO2/km or less by 2000. But a number of highly CO2-efficient cars have met with very low consumer demand.

Costs of CO2 Reduction Compared

With between €132 and €233 per reduced tonne of CO2, vehicle technology is up to ten times more expensive than using biofuels or adopting an economic driving style. These are official European Commission figures.

Sources of CO2 Emissions in the EU

Passenger cars contribute to 12% of man-made CO2 in Europe, according to 2004, EU-25 figures from the European Commission. Transport accounts for 26%, energy plants for 39%, industrial production for 16% and households for 19%.

Japan Opts for Integrated Approach

Japanese greenhouse gas reduction policy for cars emphasizes measures such as infrastructure adjustments rather than vehicle technology. For cars, a target remains of 138 gCO2/km by 2015.

Looking to the future

The Pros and Cons of Hybrids

All European car manufacturers have been involved in the research and development of hybrid engines for some time and several have models that are either already on the market or close to market introduction. However, hybrid cars are far from being the only solution.