16/06/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 13 June, the Transport Council reached a general approach on the draft directive on the promotion of clean and energy efficient vehicles, presented by the European Commission in January of this year (see EUROPE 9596). The approach adopted by Council provides for greater flexibility than in the Commission recommendations. While requiring public authorities to take account of the environmental (emissions) and energy (consumption) impact, the Council allows this requirement to be met in a number of ways when purchasing vehicles. The Council also defines the scope of the draft directive to bring it into line with public procurement directives (2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC) and the public service obligations regulation (1370/2007). (A.By./transl.rt)