Much more work needs to be done by the Commission

Publication date: 20 July 2007

"Much more work needs to be done by the European Commission in thinking through its CO2 emissions policy” says FIA President Max Mosley. “The EU has some laudable aims in cutting emissions but we need to have a long hard look at how exactly this policy is going to be achieved. What we need are cost effective and efficient measures. If this doesn't happen the policy may not succeed."

The EU risks falling short of its goals of reducing CO2 emissions from cars to 130 g/km by 2012 according to current trends, new research from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile’s (FIA) largest European auto-club shows.

A new model, which predicts what CO2 emissions will be like in five years time, indicates that the EU will miss its target by 22 g/km.

When running through different scenarios the model further highlights that in all cases CO2 reductions will be best achieved by addressing technical improvement in car and engine design, where 90% of potential reductions lies. It shows that consumer demand patterns will only have a marginal impact.

The model produced by the ADAC auto-club is based on extensive data research on existing vehicle fleets registered between 2001 and 2006. It extrapolates the information to develop market evolution scenarios. The model examines the effect of different factors such as the share of different fuel types, consumer demand patterns, and technological developments, on the average fleet emissions by 2012.

The technical improvements that the model highlights as the best for potential CO2 reduction are all cost effective. Their implementation cost will be outweighed by the fuel efficiency gains throughout the vehicle lifecycle, reducing the overall global cost of motoring.

The FIA believes that this model will be a valuable contribution to the current discussion and help to shape future policy decisions. The motoring organisations hope that the results will further serve to encourage the Commission to seriously reconsider the need for the use of an integrated approach, as it is only with an integrated approach and by addressing all determining factors that real progress in the CO2 reduction policy can be achieved.

Notes for Editors
 

The FIA, the world’s leading motoring organisation, represents via its affiliated members, national motoring and touring organisations over 100 million motorists worldwide and 34 million motorists in the European Union.

Europe’s motoring and touring organisations have as their highest priority to make mobility more sustainable, i.e. more reliable, cleaner and safer while keeping it affordable for all. In this respect automobile clubs also help motorists increase the energy efficiency of their cars by offering fuel efficient driving courses and information about the fuel efficiency of cars.

The FIA has long been calling to the European Union to take a resolute lead in defining the roadmap for different CO2 reduction measures, prioritising them according to cost-efficiency and impact assessment.

With over 130 participants and speakers from ACEA, Transport and Environment, the European Commission and FIA member club ADAC, the FIA hopes that this model brings a useful contribution to the EU’s efforts in its quest to tackle climate change.

URL: http://www.fiabrussels.com

For more information please contact: Olivier Lenz - Tel. +32 2 282 08 25