Brussels, 13/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - In a joint memorandum published on Friday 10 July, organisations representing the transport and logistics sector called on the European Commission to optimise use of the VECTO software currently being developed. This software seeks to more accurately simulate CO2 emissions rates from heavy duty vehicles on the market (see EUROPE 11084).
These organisations are therefore calling on the Commission to focus on two objectives. The first is to deliver a type approval procedure that is demonstrably “transparent, accurate, credible, future proof as well as cost-effective”, which would help introduce a framework that is clear and safe and which will help facilitate rational decision-making by the respective economic agents. With this goal in mind, the joint signatories of the letter recommend that the Commission provides “all commercial road transport operators with cost-effective tools, i.e. certified fuel economy metres on board new trucks, to help them better monitor their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions”. The second objective put forward by the joint protocol signatories calls for a change in procedures that helps to “Remove market barriers by increasing market transparency and vehicle comparability plus stimulating competition among manufacturers and end-user awareness”.
According to these industry leaders, VECTO should also enable small road transport companies (85% of the fleet) to independently consult and compare different vehicle combinations, CO2, fuel consumption and energy use, where possible online , which they believe would rectify the current information shortfall. They are also calling for the integration of input parameters (e.g. aerodynamic performance, rolling resistance, engine maps) and this being made available to third parties, whilst taking into account the confidentiality of manufacturers' data.
The method for calculating CO2 emissions from heavy duty vehicles is more complex than that for light utility vehicles, explained one source close to the dossier because their chain of production is more fragmented and their fuel consumption more erratic (e.g. for dumper trucks). Although an emissions limit is applicable to light utility vehicles, the system has to be better adapted to the specificities of heavy goods vehicles, explain manufacturers.
As part of its strategy for reducing CO2 emissions from heavy goods vehicles, presented by the Commission in May 2014, the VECTO instrument seeks to introduce a certification, reporting and control system for CO2 emissions from new utility vehicles (lorries, buses and coaches) by way of an accurate simulation. It should be finalised by the end of the year.
At the same time, an implementation act is currently being drawn up for the middle of 2016 and should be subject to committee procedures in view of incorporating the VECTO software in the 2007/46/EC directive. An MRV (a greenhouse gas emissions monitoring, reporting and verification instrument) is currently being developed by the Commission. After having consulted sector stakeholders it is hoping to submit a legislative project in 2016. Sector manufacturers are afraid that the European Parliament will impose rigid CO2 emissions limits, according to indications from one source. (Pascal Hansens)