EU lays down strategy on clean cars

Cars21.com - Aiming to help the European car industry to strengthen its competitiveness in the production of clean and energy-efficient technologies, the document presented at a press conference by European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani in charge of industry and entrepreneurship encompasses an Action plan of measures to be implemented by the European Commission (EC).

The Action Plan takes a “technology-neutral” approach, yet it recognises that the European framework regarding mobility has been mostly lacking on electromobility. Hence, there is a section of the document dedicated to measures to support electric vehicles. Among those:

• Safety: Working together with international partners, the EC will propose electric safety requirements for vehicle type-approval in 2010. It will also review crash safety requirements and potential risks due to the quietness of electric vehicles by 2012.
• Standardisation: The EC will issue a mandate in 2010 for European standardisation bodies to develop a standardised charging interface that will ensure interoperability and connectivity between the electricity supply point and the charger of an electric vehicle, while also addressing safety risks. It will identify a method to implement the standard so that all industry players adopt it.
• Infrastructure: The EC will work with EU Member States on the build-up of charging infrastructure, while it will explore with the European Investment Bank how to provide funding to stimulate investment in infrastructure and services build-up for green vehicles.
• Impact on low carbon electricity generation and the grid: The EC will evaluate whether the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) encourages low-carbon electricity generation, as well as the impact of the increased requirement for low-carbon electricity on the supply system and the grid.
• Battery recycling: The Commission will consider legislative changes needed in relation to the recycling of batteries and end of life vehicles, while it will promote European research programmes on recycling and reusing of batteries.

Research grants and guidelines on financial incentives

The document recognises that administrative rules for obtaining EU research grants need to be simplified and streamlined.

To encourage coordination of demand-side measures adopted in different EU Member States, the EC will present guidelines on financial incentives to consumers to buy green vehicles in 2010.

Electromobility Demonstration Project

A project will be launched in 2011 within the European Green Cars Initiative to assess consumer behaviour, usage patterns and foster user awareness of all types of electric technology. The project will pay specific attention on new developments in the area of standardisation for EVs.

Setting emissions standards for vehicles other than passenger cars

 The EC Communication provides an overview of what can be expected in terms of CO2 emissions standards for vehicle types other than passenger cars, for which electric powertrain technology may be considered:

• Light commercial vehicles (vans): There is a EC proposal currently being discussed by the EU law making institution regarding emission performance from vans that proposes a fleet average emission for all new vans of 175 g/km as of 2016
• Heavy duty vehicles: The EC envisions preparing a strategy targeting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from heavy duty vehicles
• Two- and three-wheelers and quadricycles: In 2010, the EC will propose a Regulation on type-approval requirements for two- and three-wheelers and quadricycles that will set emission standards and will adapt or develop measures to take account of new technologies.