Brussels, 21/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - Following cars and light commercial vehicles, whose CO2 emissions are regulated in the EU, the time has come to add lorries to the fight against climate change. The first step towards this was taken on Wednesday 21 May, when the European Commission presented its strategy to ensure the transparency of emissions from vehicles of more than 3.5 tonnes - lorries and buses - which are not currently measured in a harmonised way. The stakes are high, as heavy vehicles are responsible for a quarter of CO2 emissions from road transport in the EU.
The Commission is proposing a computer simulation tool, VECTO, to measure, certify and declare CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, as the Council called on it to do in June 2007. Next year, it will present a legislative proposal requiring emissions from all such vehicles being newly registered in the EU to be certified, declared and subject to monitoring. No further measures are planned until this legislation is in place.
“We are taking the next steps to curb emissions from road transport (…). This strategy outlines new measures which over time will cut CO2 emissions of these vehicles, save operators money and make the EU less dependent on imported oil”, said Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action.
The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) immediately welcomed the idea of bringing in an emissions certification system, which it said would guarantee total transparency for consumers regarding fuel efficiency. “Fuel efficiency is a top priority for the transport companies who buy and use trucks and buses, because fuel accounts for over one third of their total operating costs”, commented Erij Jonnaert, Secretary General of the ACEA. On the basis of comparable data, “this system will empower customers to compare and choose the most fuel-efficient vehicle combination adapted to their needs”, he added.
The NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) deplores the fact that, whilst stressing the urgent need to reduce growing emissions from lorries, the Commission is not at this stage proposing any decisive action. “Lorry fuel efficiency has remained stagnant for 20 years, but while the US has quickly set standards for American trucks to improve their fuel economy, Europe is just treading water. Fuel economy standards will slash fuel bills, reduce oil and diesel imports and cut climate-changing emissions”, said William Todts of T&E. Between 1990 and 2010, emissions from lorries grew by 36% and currently represent 6% of total EU emissions. The roadmap for a competitive low-carbon economy by 2050 and the White Paper on transport indicate that the transport sector should cut its CO2 emissions by around 60% between now and 2050, compared to 1990 levels. (AN)