Group of European Companies Call for Deeper CO2 Cuts of 30% by 2020

30 European companies recently called on the European Union to increase its ambition to cut EU emissions to 30% by 2020 from 1990 levels in the interests of strengthening Europe’s economic future, boosting jobs and providing greater certainty and predictability for investors. It is the first time such a large and diverse group of EU businesses has called for Europe to increase its policy ambition to cut emissions to 30%. The current European target is for the EU to cut emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by 2020.

Companies supporting the joint business declaration include Acciona, Alstom, Asda, Atkins, Barilla, BNP Paribas, BSkyB, Capgemini, Centrica plc, Climate Change Capital, Crédit Agricole, DHV Group, Elopak, Eneco, F&C Asset Management, GE Energy, Johnson Controls Inc, Kingfisher, Google, Marks and Spencer, Nike, Philips Lighting, SKAI Group of Companies, Sony Europe, Standard Life, Swiss Re, Tryg, Thames Water, Unilever and Vodafone.

The joint business declaration has been led by The Climate Group, The Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership, and WWF Climate Savers Programme.

The joint declaration states “There is no high-carbon low-cost future for Europe” and calls on the EU to consider increasing its greenhouse gas reduction target to drive low carbon investment, saying:

• Climate action will boost economic growth and create new jobs.
• The EU needs the right policies to maintain its leadership and competitiveness in the global low carbon economy.
• The EU must invest in its energy security through greater low carbon energy investments.
• The EU needs to invest now for tomorrow’s technology and infrastructure to avoid high carbon ‘lock-in’ and the financial risk of needing to engineer a rapid shift away from such stranded assets.
• The recession has made emissions cuts easier and cheaper but market incentives are required to spur action.
• ‘Carbon leakage’ should be evaluated and concerns addressed based on real facts and data about competitiveness.

The move by European businesses supports recent calls from Ministers from Denmark, France, Germany and the UK who believe Europe will gain jobs and competitiveness from the move and see significant economic benefits from strengthening its own climate policy even without a global deal. Three European climate change ministers—the UK’s Chris Huhne, France’s Jean-Louis Borloo, Germany’s Dr Norbert Röttgen—recently stated that a policy for moving to 30% would not act as a brake on the EU economy but would boost jobs and help Europe stay competitive as India, China, Japan and the US challenge its market share of 22%of the global low carbon goods and services sector.

Green Car Congress

=> Group of European Companies Call for Deeper CO2 Cuts of 30% by 2020.

European Auto Manufacturers Agree on First Phase of Specifications to Connect Plug-ins to the Grid

The European automobile manufacturers have agreed to a first phase of joint specifications to connect electrically chargeable vehicles to the electricity grid in a safe and user-friendly way.

The agreement covers at current stage widely-used and ready-to-use infrastructure both on the side of the car and on the side of public and private infrastructures. This first phase of specifications only covers 1 and 3-phase AC charging in the short- and medium-term, and reflects the needs of passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles. Further agreements will follow for long-term, DC charging (quick charging) and heavy-duty vehicles.

Phase 2 suggests a uniform EU solution that reduces the variety of solutions in the market, and on the other hand, maintains maximum flexibility for consumers and predictability for producers. Harmonized rules for phase 2 will apply for new vehicle types starting 2017, so to provide the industry with enough lead time to implement these new solutions in their vehicle development programs and to make necessary adaptation in the infrastructure.

Phase 1 agreements include:

• Vehicle inlet. No restrictions on type of vehicle inlet as vehicles with different types are already on the market or in a late development phase. Manufactures will provide at least one cable with Type 2 plug (Mode 3) or standard domestic plug (Mode 2) to connect to infrastructure.
• Public charging (infrastructure side). Type 2 (Mode 3). Industrial sockets (IEC 60309-2 – Mode 2) should be allowed for this transitional period. As vehicles from Phase 1 product launches will be equipped with different kinds of vehicle inlets, it is important that all public charge spots which use attached cables have an additional Type 2 infrastructure socket outlet. If the vehicle inlet is of a different type than the connector on the fixed cable, the customer must be able to use its own cable delivered with the vehicle. (Any adaptors on the vehicle side are forbidden by IEC 61851 due to safety concerns).
• Home charging (infrastructure side). Type 2 (Mode 3), standard home socket outlet (Mode 2) or industrial socket (IEC 60309-2 – Mode 2). Standard home sockets are widely available and well known to customers making them easy to use; therefore they should remain a valid solution for the market uptake. However, a third party certification of the household electricity grid should be conducted before the electrically chargeable vehicle is first charged.

Current Phase 2 agreements include:

• Vehicle inlet. Harmonized solution, using Mode 3 charging, will apply for new types starting 2017.
• Public charging (infrastructure side). Mode 3 uniform EU solution (Type plugs specifications to be finalized by the end of 2010 in conjunction with the CEN/CENELEC activities, having in mind global context).
• Home charging (infrastructure side). Mode 3 uniform EU solution (Type plugs specifications to be finalized by the end of 2010 in conjunction with the CEN/CENELEC activities, having in mind global context). Standard domestic sockets or industrial sockets (Mode 2) should still be allowed on condition of third party certification of the household electricity grid to be conducted before the electrically chargeable vehicle is first charged.

Currently different connectors are proposed for electric vehicle charging in Europe (IEC 62196-2 Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3). Only Type 2 and Type 3 connectors can be used for single- and three-phase charging, which is essential for a region with three-phase distribution grids and household service connections which can be single- or three-phase such as Europe.

Countries such as Japan and the USA, where three-phase is not as readily available as in Europe, have decided to use a pure single-phase connector (IEC 62196-2 Type 1). China has similar distribution grids as Europe and therefore includes in the new standard the IEC 62196-2 Type 2 connector for the vehicle and the infrastructure.

The main differences between the two universal 1 and 3 phase connectors are maximum current and the use of shutters.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) notes that the current joint position and recommendation is based on best knowledge of the current situation and state of technical development. Certain technical solutions may still need to be validated in detail, it cautions, as the technical specifications have not yet been finalized in the different International Standardization Groups.

This agreement provides the firm willingness of automotive manufacturers to come ultimately to one standardized solution for the charging of electric vehicles. It provides from today’s perspective long-term guidance. Of course, it might be revised if the validation of current solutions is negative and/or if better technical solutions are developed in the coming years.

In this context, we strongly support the European Commission’s upcoming electro-mobility demonstration project (FP7 – Green Cars Initiative) which will test and validate the different technical solutions and standards. The learnings and outcomes of such a demonstration project could eventually result in a set of different recommendations.

—ACEA position on recommendations for charging

The industry recommendations will enable the relevant EU standardization bodies to make rapid progress with defining a common interface between the electricity infrastructure and vehicles throughout Europe. The recommendations also provide decisive guidance to public authorities that are planning investments in public charging spots.

This is an important step towards the successful deployment of electrically chargeable vehicles in Europe. A uniform and user-friendly charging infrastructure is a prerequisite to build a market. We want to avoid a situation where customers have to carry a multitude of charging cables to use their vehicles in different cities, regions and countries, just as we see today with items like mobile phones.

—Ivan Hodac, Secretary-General of ACEA, the automobile industry’s trade association in Brussels

The European specifications could form the basis for a global standard, the automakers suggest. Japanese and South Korean manufacturers have been closely involved in developing the joint industry recommendations for the European market.

The ACEA members are BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler, FIAT Group, Ford of Europe, General Motors Europe, Jaguar Land Rover, MAN Nutzfahrzeuge, Porsche, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault, Scania, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Green Car Congress

=> European Auto Manufacturers Agree on First Phase of Specifications to Connect Plug-ins to the Grid.

Study: EU could cut emissions 89% in 40 years by ditching ICEs, adopting EVs, reducing speeds…

According to a 15-month long study conducted in part by the European Commission, Europe’s transportation sector could feasibly cut its greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by a resounding 89 percent by 2050. While the study concludes that the EU could cut emissions by nearly 90 percent, it’s almost impossible that thiswill actually happen. It’s not that the study is inaccurate, it’s just that many of the targets cited are far from obtainable without drastic changes to transportation as we now know it.

For example, the study shows that technical advancements such as doubling the efficiency of biofuels, replacing virtually all gasoline-powered vehicles with models that run on electric power and modifying the existing gas engines that remain in use would only lead to an emissions reduction of 36 percent over levels recorded in 1990. Getting that additional 53 percent reduction would require lowering speed limits, a thorough reworking of the layout of cities to focus on better vehicle flow, removing any subsidies for highly polluting fuels and possibly even eliminating shipping and aviation in the area. Obviously, this is not going to happen soon, but the EU Commission warns that failure to act upon its recommendation will result in emissions ballooning by 2050 to 25 percent over today’s levels and 74 percent above the marks set in 1990. Just something to think about as we seek additional ways to ward off ever-increasing emissions worldwide.

AutoblogGreen

=> Study: EU could cut emissions 89% in 40 years by ditching ICEs, adopting EVs, reducing speeds….

Growing Number of EU Countries Levying CO2 Taxes on Cars and Incentivizing Plug-ins

At present, 17 of the 27 EU Member States levy CO₂-related taxes on passenger cars, and 15 governments provide tax incentives for electrically chargeable vehicles,according to the newly published European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) Tax Guide 2010. In 2009, motor vehicle taxes in the EU 15 amounted to €377 billion (US$505 billion) or 3.4% of GDP.

The seventeen EU countries that levy passenger car taxes partially or totally based on the car’s carbon dioxide emissions and/or fuel consumption are: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

By April last year, sixteen Member States had CO₂-related taxation, up from fourteen in 2008, eleven in 2007 and nine in 2006. New to the list are Germany, that introduced such system in the summer of 2009, and Latvia. Italy chose not to prolong its one-year fleet renewal scheme which included both CO₂-based incentives and incentives for electric vehicles.

Incentives for electrically chargeable vehicles are now applied in all western European countries with the exceptions of Italy and Luxembourg. New to the list is Belgium. The Czech Republic and Romania take the number of Member States up to fifteen. The incentives mainly consist of tax reductions and exemptions, as well as of bonus payments for the buyers of electric vehicles.

ACEA says that the European car industry supports the further introduction of the fiscal incentives for fuel efficiency. Tax measures are an important tool in shaping consumer demand towards fuel-efficient cars, and help create a market for breakthrough technologies, notably during the introduction phase. Innovations generally first enter the market in low volumes and at a significant cost premium, and this needs to be offset by a positive policy framework.

ACEA says that the failure to harmonize tax systems weakens the environmental benefits that CO₂-based taxation and incentives can bring. European automakers have long called for the abolition of car registration taxes which are still widely applied in the EU. Generally, registration taxes threaten fleet renewal. A harmonized CO₂-based tax regime for cars should be a priority, the association says, applying a linear, technology-neutral system that is budget-neutral in end-effect. It would maximize emission reductions, support manufacturers and maintain the integrity of the single market.

In 2009, the market share of cars emitting 120 gCO₂/km had risen to 25%. Cars with emission above 160 gCO₂/km accounted for 23% of the market, compared to 39% in 2006 and to 80% in 1995.

The annual ACEA Tax Guide gives an overview of motor vehicle taxation in the twenty-seven Member States of the European Union, the countries of the European Free Trade Association as well as Turkey and, for the first time, Brazil China, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the United States.

The Tax Guide is compiled with the help of the national associations of motor vehicle manufacturers or importers and describes in detail the taxes that are levied on the sale, registration, ownership and the use of motor vehicles in each country.

Green Car Congress

=> Growing Number of EU Countries Levying CO2 Taxes on Cars and Incentivizing Plug-ins.

European strategy on clean and energy efficient vehicles, presentations of Commission’s public hearing

On 11 March 2010, the Commission organized a public hearing on the European strategy on clean and energy efficient vehicles. By means of this public hearing, the Commission seeked to engage the stakeholders in a stock-taking with respect to clean and energy efficient vehicles and an assessment of future scenarios in terms of technology and market development including the role of the Commission with respect to these developments.

The contributions received through this hearing as well as in writing will play an important role in the drafting of a Commission’s Communication. This Communication will be followed by the concrete actions of the Commission.

Presentations made at the public hearing

ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association) [151 KB]

CLEPA (European Association of Automotive Suppliers) [75 KB]

EHA (European Hydrogen Association) [662 KB]

eBIO (European Bioethanol Fuel Association) [6 MB]

EURELECTRIC [70 KB]

Going-Electric (European Association for Battery Electric Vehicles) [596 KB]

EUROBAT (European Automotive and Industrial Battery Association) [397 KB]

Shecco [2 MB]

Better Place Denmark [7 MB]

Transport & Environment [188 KB]

EUCAR (European Council for Automotive R&D [188 KB]

FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations) [2 MB] via http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/competitiveness-cars21/energy-efficient/index_en.htm

Miguel Sebastián says that “the electric vehicle has been born today in Europe”

The Spanish Ministry of Industry, Miguel Sebastián, stated that “it is no exaggeration” to say that the electric vehicle “has been born today in Europe”, and that it has done so under the Spanish Presidency.

“It is a good day for European industry”, stressed the minister during his statement to the media following the first two working sessions of the European delegations on the electric vehicle, the single issue for discussion at the meeting of the ministers for competitiveness.

Sebastián pointed out that it is precisely at these difficult times when a commitment for the future is needed and he was convinced that the electric car is one such commitment since, in his own words, it “is a winning hand.”

He added “it is good for people’s pockets, good for European income and employment, good for Europe as a whole, and it will be good for the planet from an environmental perspective. ”

Miguel Sebastián cited Germany’s express support to take the Spanish Presidency’s proposal to adopt a European strategy regarding the electric vehicle to the next Council of Ministers in Brussels.

The Spanish minister quoted his French counterpart, Christian Estrosi, who said that the electric vehicle “is essential” and that all Europeans have to work on it together“in a coordinated way.”

The Spanish Presidency opened the two working sessions, prior to discussing the conclusions with the rest of the Members States. At both meetings the delegations talked with car manufacturers, energy companies and the ICT sector regarding the initiative and the need to adopt a common strategy.

To encourage the debate, the Spanish Presidency presented a working document that, in addition to providing a brief analysis, put forward several issues for discussion by the delegations.

• Video
• Video: Electric vehicles presentation

Interview

1. The electric vehicle is the focus of the informal meeting of ministers of industry.What is the line of action of the Spanish Presidency in this matter?

The electric car is an opportunity for European industry. Its introduction entails the development of new technologies, innovative activities, the generation of added value, the creation of quality employment, possibilities to increase exports, improving efficiency and energy savings, controlling CO2 emissions and reducing dependency on oil and oil derivatives.

From our point of view, EU institutions should lead the introduction of the electric vehicle and in this informal meeting of ministers we have presented a document for discussion to all Member States in which we describe the main implications and challenges that must be confronted for the large-scale implementation of the electric vehicle. We are asking EU countries to express their opinion with a view to creating an internal discussion that results in the creation of a common strategy by the European Commission, which is the institution which must carry out this task.

2. What will be the working dynamic of the informal meeting?

We have prepared three work sessions, two of them led by experts in the affected business sectors, to analyse the electric vehicle from all angles. First, we will look at the implications from the viewpoint of industry in a session where the speakers will be from the main sectors involved: energy, car manufacturers and technology.

This will be followed by a session for institutions, from the Spanish Parliament through to the European Commission, including Barcelona City Council, one of the Spanish cities that is developing a pilot scheme to introduce the electric vehicle (MOVELE Project).

Finally, the third general session is reserved for the ministers of all member countries to express their opinions and give their views on various aspects related to the electric vehicle. As this is an informal meeting, no document will be approved, but the Spanish Presidency has prepared a document to encourage discussion and suggest, if suitable, a series of conclusions to be sent to the Community executive.

3. How will the Spanish Presidency of the European Union promote a common electric vehicle strategy? What agreements does it hope to reach?

The Presidency wishes to give the electric vehicle a leading role. This informal meeting is the first example. It has only one subject, the electric vehicle, something which has never happened before. We believe that in an initial stage of development of this type of vehicle, the first thing that has to be done is to encourage discussion and present the challenges that Europe must face together to gain a competitive advantage in this sector.

We are confident that our perception will be shared by the rest of the Member States and EU institutions and we hope that the European Commission will take note and adopt a common strategy which can be discussed in the Council of Ministers in May.

via http://eu2010.es/en/documentosynoticias/entrevistas/feb08_entrevistasebastian.html

Euroopa autotööstus kaardistas teadus- ja arendustegevuse suunad tulevikuks

Euroopa Komisjon on otsustanud anda roheliste autode arendamiseks 5 miljardit eurot eesmärgiga oluliselt parandada autode energiaefektiivsust ja loodussäästlikkust. Kannustatuna sellest initsiatiivist on Euroopa autotööstuse teadus- ja arendustegevuse nõukogu koostanud arendusplaani, mis peaks neile väljakutsetele omapoolse lahendus andma.

Autotööstuse teadus- ja arendustegevus on plaanis jaotada nelja peamise suuna vahel:

• transport ja mobiilsus, mille vallas arendatakse IKT süsteeme liikluse ja transpordi juhtimiseks;
• energia ja keskkond, mille raames tegeletakse nii sõidukite, kui transpordisüsteemi kui terviku elektrifitseerimise ja sobilike energiaallikate arendamisega;
• turvalisus, mille raames on fookuses transpordisüsteemi kui terviku turvalisus ja sõidukite vaheline „turvakommunikatsioon“ ja
• kättesaadavus ning konkurentsivõime, mille raames on eesmärgiks püstitatud süsteemi põhikomponentide hinna optimeerimine ja protsesside efektiivsus.

E-autode valdkonnas on fookuses salvestussüsteemide arendamine, elektriliste jõuajamite arendus (sh. rattasisesed mootorid) ja elektritranspordi infrastruktuuri arendus.

5 miljardist eurost 1 miljard tuleb EL 7. Raamprogrammist ja 4 miljardit Euroopa Investeerimispanga laenudena.

Allikas: Green Car Congress

Summary: European automotive industry mapped the R&D priorities under EU Green Car Initiative.

2009: kõikjal Lääne-Euroopas CO2-põhised automaksud

Viimase Lääne-Euroopa riigina kehtestab juulis 2009 CO2-põhised automaksud Saksama, annab teada Euroopa Autotootjate Assotsiatsioon (ACEA). Ainsa Ida-Euroopa riigina on CO2 põhised maksud seni kehtestanud Rumeenia.

Täpsema ülevaate CO2 põhistest automaksudest Euroopas leiad siit.  

Ehkki ACEA tervitab üldiselt CO2-põhist autode maksustamist, leiab ühing samuti, et oluline oleks maksupoliitikad riikide vahel ühtlustada. ACEA soovib, et automaksud oleks lineaarses seoses CO2 kogusega ja iga lisanduv CO2 gramm oleks maksustatud ühte moodi.

Uudise allikas: Green Car Congress

Summary: By the end of 2009 all Western European countries will have CO2 related car taxes, Rumenia to be front runner in Eastern Europe.

EL ja Jaapan planeerivad koos arendada akusid

Umbes 100 ametnikku ja eksperti nii Jaapanist kui EList kohtusid täna Tokyos, et leida ühisplatvormi järgmise generatsiooni autoakude ja päikesepatareide arendamiseks.

Jaapani akutootja GS Yuasa esindaja Yasushi Yamamoto sõnul on 500km sõidukaugust lubava aku ehitamine teostatav, kuid sellise tootearenduse ettevõtmine nõuab reaalse nõudluse olemasolu ja kasvu.

Kahepäevase kohtumise tulemusel katsutakse välja valida need clean-tech valdkonnad, mida ühiselt edasi arendada.

Allikas: Bloomberg