ACEA

GLOBAL WARMING: European Automotive Industry supports Integrated Approach as most cost-effective way

The European Automotive industry fully supports a “comprehensive and consistent approach”, involving car industry, fuel industry, policy makers and drivers, to reduce further CO2 emissions of passenger cars. The European Commission called for such an approach today in the “Action Plan for Energy Efficiency”. This Action Plan aims to reduce significantly energy consumption in Europe by 2020.

“The proposal in the Action Plan is very much in line with the “Integrated Approach” adopted last year by the EU High-level Group on the competitiveness of the European car industry, CARS21”, said Ivan Hodac, Secretary-General of the Brussels based European Automobile Manufacturers Association, ACEA. “Adopting a comprehensive, consistent and cost-effective approach, involving car industry, fuel industry, policy makers and drivers, recognises the complexity of the task ahead: to foster Europe’s competitiveness and to safeguard the environment at the same time. To achieve this goal, policy makers, industries and consumers all need to work closely together.”

“The Action Plan rightly puts a clear emphasis on increasing demand for fuel-efficient products through taxation measures.” The European car industry has brought many fuel-efficient cars onto the market and is determined to do so in the future. Said Hodac: “Taxation measures will help create the necessary demand.” ACEA advocates harmonised, firmly CO2-related taxation of cars and alternative fuels - in a linear manner to ensure environmental effectiveness and fair treatment of the consumer.

The European Commission is currently preparing a revised EU strategy on the CO2 emissions of cars. Said Hodac: “It’s highly important that all relevant ingredients, including eco-driving, availability of alternative fuels, CO2-related taxation and infrastructure improvements are taken on board, following multi-stakeholder consultations in the Working Group Cars of the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP). Special attention deserves the need for proper and transparent impact assessments and cost-effectiveness analyses, as recommended by the High-level Group CARS21. Naturally, other transport modes and economic sectors too have to make an appropriate contribution to reducing CO2 emissions.”

The European Automobile Manufacturers provide direct employment to 2 million people and, indirectly, support another 10 million jobs. Last year, car production totalled 18 million in Europe. ACEA members yearly spend 5% of turnover (€ 20 billion) on research and development, of which a huge part is directed to reducing CO2 emissions. ACEA Members are BMW, DAF, DaimlerChrysler, FIAT, Ford, General Motors, MAN Nutzfahrzeuge, Porsche, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault, Scania, Volkswagen and Volvo.

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