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[Due to the increasing size of the archives, each topic page now contains only the prior 365 days of content. Access to older stories is now solely through the Monthly Archive pages or the site search function.]
European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative Launches €140M Call for Proposals
July 03, 2009
The European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH) Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) has issued a second call for proposals for research. Around €140 million (US$196 million) has been allocated to this second call, with €71.3 million by the Commission matched by in-kind contributions of the industrial partners. The FCH JTI, an EU-wide collaborative private-public partnership, has a total budget amounts around €1 billion (US$1.4 billion) to be invested in hydrogen and fuel cell research and development by 2014. (Earlier post.)
The 29 project topics in the second call aim to put fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies on the market two to five years sooner than what is estimated without the support the JTI offers. Selected teams of researchers will investigate bottlenecks in the whole range of applications for these energy technologies, from cars to large scale power plants, as well as the whole supply chain from hydrogen production to demonstration of the market-readiness of applications.
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Renault-Nissan Alliance and EDF to Test 100 Units of Production EV Models in Paris Region in 2010; New Partnership in Lombardy
July 02, 2009
The Renault-Nissan Alliance and EDF are planning a large-scale electric vehicle test in the Paris region. For one year from September 2010, consumers, professionals and local government employees will try out 100 electric Renault-Nissan Alliance passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance plans to use the full-scale trial to test the usage and performance of their future electric vehicles. The vehicles in the trial will be identical to the series-production models scheduled for launch at the start of 2011.
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Sainsbury Orders Another 50 Electric Vans As Companies Work With Mayor Of London to Encourage Adoption of Commercial EVs (corrected)
June 09, 2009
| Sainsbury’s electric Edison. Click to enlarge. |
UK retailer Sainsbury Online, which uses the Smith Electric Vehicles Edison electric vans for home shopping delivery in London, is ordering another 50 electric vans for its fleet. The order comes as Sainsbury, TNT Express and other leading UK companies are working with the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to encourage wider take-up of commercial electric vehicles.
An early adopter of EVs, Sainsbury has worked with Smith Electric Vehicles since 2006 and now has the largest fleet of new technology electric delivery vans in Britain. Sainsbury is still in conntract negotiations, and will not yet confirm the supplier or suppliers of the 50 new electric vans.
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Controlled Power Introduces 12V Belt-Driven Integrated Starter Generator for Cars with Diesels
May 20, 2009
| Left: The SpeedStart B-ISG. Right: Installation in Volvo demonstrator with INA damper. Source: CPT. Click to enlarge. |
Controlled Power Technologies has developed the first belt-driven Integrated Starter Generator (B-ISG) to use a conventional 12-volt vehicle electrical system with the high power output necessary to provide excellent stop-start functionality on the majority of European cars equipped with diesel as well as gasoline engines.
The CPT SpeedStart B-ISG system can deliver up to a 5% reduction in CO2 emissions over the New European Drive Cycle when integrated into a modern powertrain, with the potential for even greater savings in real world urban driving situations.
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Elektromotive Debuts Tool for Monitoring and Invoicing Electricity Drawn from Charging Stations; Three-Phase Fast Charge Prototype with Mennekes Coupler
May 15, 2009
| The Mennekes system. Click to enlarge. |
UK-based Elektromotive introduced EBConnect—a tool for monitoring and invoicing electricity drawn from vehicle charging stations—at EVS 24. EBConnect will be installed in all Elektrobay charging stations, of which there are already more than 160 across the UK.
The EBConnect software manages a two-way exchange of data via GSM and the internet to track electricity usage and invoice accordingly. The system allows the possibility of a number of payment methods including a ‘pay-and-go’ service, where the user adds credits to their personalized Elektrobay keyfob.
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Toyota to Lease More Than 150 Experimental Li-Ion PHEVs in Europe
May 14, 2009
Toyota Motor Europe (TME) will lease more than 150 units of its experimental Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV) to selected fleet customers across Europe as a next step towards commercialization. Toyota says it will deploy more than 500 new PHVs in global trials—including in Europe, Japan and the US—by 2010.
France will be the first country to participate in the three-year European pilot, with discussions ongoing in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. Based on Toyota’s full hybrid technology, the new PHV will come equipped with a lithium-ion battery, extending the vehicle’s range in electric vehicle mode. The first wave of PHVs will reach Strasbourg in late 2009.
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European Automotive Industry Outlines R&D Priorities for EU Green Car Initiative
May 07, 2009
European automotive suppliers and vehicle manufacturers have united to submit a series of R&D priorities to the European Commission to shape the European Green Car Initiative (EGCI), announced by the EU. CLEPA (the European umbrella membership organization representing the interests of the global automotive supply industry) and EUCAR (the European Council for Automotive R&D from the major European passenger car and commercial vehicle manufacturers) jointly prepared the document.
The Green Car Initiative, a part of the European economic recovery plan, aims to allocate €5 billion (US$6.7 billion) through a Public Private Partnership to bolster innovation in the automotive sector and sustain its focus on environmental progress. The initiative complements the European Clean Transport Facility which, through the European Investment Bank, serves to provide more immediate financial relief to the sector.
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UK Government Launches £250M 5-Year Plan for Cutting CO2 from Road Transport; Includes Incentives for Purchase of PHEVs and EVs
April 16, 2009
| High-level technology roadmap for the UK’s decarbonization of road transport. Click to enlarge. |
The UK Transport and Business Secretaries launched the Government’s vision for cutting carbon from road transport over the next five years. Central to the £250-million (US$373-million) strategy is a consumer incentive initiative for plug-in vehicles worth £2,000 - £5,000 (US$3,000 - US$7,500) towards buying the first electric and plug-in hybrid cars when they hit the showrooms, expected to be from 2011 onwards.
The strategy also includes plans to provide £20 million (US$30 million) for charging points and related infrastructure to help develop a network of “electric car cities” throughout the UK and an expansion of an electric and ultra-low carbon car demonstration project on the UK’s roads. The demonstration project will involve more than 200 motorists throughout the country.
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European Investment Bank Approves €866M in Loans for Cleaner Cars; Majority to Nissan and Jaguar
April 12, 2009
The European Investment Bank Board of Directors last week approved loans worth a total of €866 million (US$1.14 billion) to European-based car makers to help design and build cleaner cars with lower CO2 emissions. The loans include €400 million to Nissan’s European operations to develop and build more fuel-efficient vehicles in the United Kingdom and Spain, and €366 million to Jaguar Land Rover to help cut vehicle emissions.
Autocar reported that Jaguar will use the EIB funding to build an extended range electric vehicle based on the next-generation XJ. In May 2008, Jaguar Land Rover received funding from the UK government in support of the development of a number of clean vehicle projects through partnerships with suppliers, government agencies, and universities. These included the extended range electric vehicle; a flywheel hybrid system for premium vehicles; “Limo-Green” and other lightweighting and lower-emitting powertrain projects. (Earlier post.)
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Study Finds That CO2 Standards for Vehicles Can Reduce Price of Oil
April 10, 2009
| Car fleet composition in the EU under the different scenarios. Click to enlarge. |
A new study by the French institute Enerdata, commissioned by the European Federation for Transport & Environment (T&E), suggests that the European CO2 standards for new vehicles due to come into effect in 2012 will lead not only to a European savings on oil (mainly via lower oil import volumes) but also to slightly lower global oil prices. Enerdata concluded that a 0.9% reduction in global oil consumption results in a drop in global oil prices of 1.2%.
Most analyses of the economic assessments of energy efficiency measures normally use fixed oil prices when accounting for economic benefits. By working out that the price of oil will fall when the EU’s regulations fully take effect, the study suggests that the European economic benefits of fuel efficiency have been underestimated, in general by up to 17%, according to T&E.
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All Western European Countries Will Have CO2-Related Car Taxation This Year; European Auto Industry Urges Harmonization of Schemes
April 07, 2009
The number of EU countries with CO2-related car taxation rose to 15 in 2008. With Germany set to introduce CO2-related taxation in July of 2009, all Western European countries levy passenger car taxes that are partially or totally based on the car’s carbon dioxide emissions and/or fuel consumption, completing a trend that peaked in 2007 and 2008, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’s Association’s (ACEA) Tax Guide 2008 published this week.
Romania was the first and so far only Eastern European Member State to introduce CO2-related taxation last year as part of a more comprehensive overhaul of vehicle taxation in the country. In most Central and Eastern European countries, the main concern of policy makers remains to reduce the level of old vehicles on the streets with pollutant emission standards of below Euro 3.
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GM Opel Cuts CO2 from 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX Zafira Van 9% to Below 140 g/km
April 06, 2009
| The 1.7 CDTI Zafira. Click to enlarge. |
Opel has improved the efficiency of its 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX Zafira seven-seat van, reducing the CO2 emissions by nearly 9% to 139 g/km, with fuel consumption of 5.3 L/100km (44.4 mpg US).
The 1.7-liter diesel with 81 kW (110 hp) and 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) of torque available from 2,000 to 2,300 rpm is fitted with a maintenance-free particulate filter and a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The ecoFLEX Zafira reaches a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph) and accelerates to 100 km/h in 13.5 sec.
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EEA Report: Trends in European Transport Are Heading in the Wrong Direction
April 05, 2009
| Indexed European transport sector greenhouse gas emissions, 1990-2006. Source: EEA. Click to enlarge. |
Transport continues to contribute disproportionally to Europe’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, poor air quality and noise, and still uses the least efficient modes to move people and goods according to a new report from the European Environmental Agency (EEA).
Emissions of GHG have increased by 26% (EU-15) or 180 million tonnes between 1990 and 2006, excluding international aviation and marine transport—an amount larger than the entire annual national emissions for 2006 from Belgium (132 million tonnes) or Romania (157 million tonnes).
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European Parliament Adopts Resolution Calling for Measures to Support Job Creation in the Auto Industry and “Green Technologies”
March 26, 2009
A cross-party resolution adopted by the European Parliament (EP) calls for measures to support job creation in the European automotive industry, and to encourage the development of “green technologies”, with which there is “significant potential for job creation...in the automotive sector”. The resolution was adopted by 413 votes to 44 with 13 abstentions.
The European automotive industry is key to the EU economy, employing 12 million workers directly and indirectly—6% of the employed population in the European Union. The industry has been badly hit by the global economic crisis, and has seen a significant drop in demand during the last quarter of 2008 and the first of 2009.
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EU Imposes Temporary Import Duties on US Biodiesel
March 12, 2009
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| US exports of biodiesel to Europe have surged, and represent the bulk of US production. Source: EBB. Click to enlarge. |
The European Union is imposing temporary anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on imports of biodiesel from the United States. The measures will come into effect from 13 March and will be in place for four months while the investigation and contacts with stakeholders continue.
The level of the measures, which are applied together, is set at between €211.20 to €237.00 (US$271.22 to $304.35) per tonne for the anti-subsidy duties and between €23.60 and €208.20 (US$30.31 to $267.31) per tonne for the anti-dumping measures. At the end of this time, the Commission will make a final recommendation to EU member states on whether or not to impose definitive duties in this case, which if imposed would normally last for five years. Provisional duties in anti-dumping and anti-subsidy cases are imposed by the European Commission, while definitive measures are imposed by the European Council.
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European Parliament Transport Committee Backs Pollution Charges on Heavy-Duty Trucks
February 11, 2009
The European Parliament’s Transport Committee approved a proposal to revise the Eurovignette directive to implement charges on heavy-goods vehicles based in part on the air and noise pollution they produce and the congestion they cause. The Eurovignette directive was adopted in May 2006 as a harmonized EU framework for charging heavy goods vehicles on European highways.
The European Commission’s original proposal included air and noise pollution and congestion but stopped short of including CO2 emissions. Some MEPs wanted to add CO2 to the list of chargeable costs, arguing that trucks, like airplanes, are partly responsible for climate change, but the committee voted today to exclude CO2 emissions from the text. Transport accounts for 27% of EU CO2 emissions, of which road transport accounts for 73%.
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New Car Registrations in UK fall 30.9% in January; Industry Urges UK Government to Provide Scrappage Incentives to Boost Demand
February 05, 2009
The new car market in the UK continued to decline sharply at the start of 2009, with volumes down by 30.9% to 112,087 units, according to figures from the UK’s SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders). SMMT expects the market to decline by 19.3% in 2009 to 1.72 million units. This would be some 410,000 units off the 2008 total and almost 685,000 units down on 2007.
In January, diesel penetration rose 0.7 percentage points to match its second highest level ever (45.6%), but diesel volumes still fell by 29.7%. Alternatively fuelled vehicle (AFV) demand showed a particularly sharp decline, down 47.4%, in part reflecting strong growth in 2008.
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Dacia Broadens Fuel Efficient and Low Emission Offerings With LPG and E85 Engines, new 1.2L Gasoline Unit
February 03, 2009
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| The Sandero 1.4 LPG. Click to enlarge. |
Dacia, a member of the Renault group, is broadening its offerings of fuel-efficient and low-emissions engines. During 2009, Dacia will introduce the Sandero and Logan 1.4 LPG, Logan MCV 1.6 LPG, and the Sandero 1.6 E85 bioethanol. Sandero and Logan will also be available with a new gasoline engine, the 1.2 16V 75 hp, with CO2 emissions of 139 g/km.
LPG. The 1.4L LPG (75 hp / 56 kW) and 1.6L LPG (90 hp / 67 kW) engines reduce CO2 emissions by up to 12% compared with gasoline power, and offer lower emissions of criteria pollutants.
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UK To Provide £2.3B Support Package for Auto Industry; Focus on Low-Carbon Initiatives
January 28, 2009
The UK government introduced a £2.3 billion (US$3.3 billion) package of measures to support its domestic auto industry, including guarantees to unlock loans of up to £1.3 billion European Investment Bank (EIB) guarantees for investment in lower carbon initiatives; and loans or loan guarantees to support of up to £1 billion of lending for lower carbon initiatives for non-EIB backed projects.
The new scheme will help ensure that major new low-carbon investment projects in the UK automotive sector are not abandoned or located outside of the UK because companies are temporarily unable to access sufficient funding from traditional sources of finance, according to the government.
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UK to Spend £250M for Low Carbon Vehicles
January 20, 2009
The UK Government will spend £250 million (US$354 million) on a wide-ranging package of measures to promote ultra-low carbon vehicles. Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced the move alongside the government’s decision to grant approval for a third runway at Heathrow Airport—a highly-charged issue in the UK.
In a wide-ranging statement to the House of Commons, Secretary Hoon outlined the government’s plans for spending on low-carbon vehicles, and road and rail infrastructure before announcing the Heathrow decision.
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Jaguar Introduces New 3.0L Diesel for European Market
December 31, 2008
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| The new AJ-V6D. Click to enlarge. |
Jaguar is introducing a new 3.0-liter diesel engine—the AJ-V6D Gen III—in two power levels in its XF Diesel S sedan for the European market. The new V6 engine, derived from the 2.7-liter diesel, improves fuel economy by 12% and produces 10% less CO2 (179 g/km) than the 2.7L, while increasing power by 33%. The new 3.0L engines are Euro-5 compliant.
The 275PS (271 hp, 202 kW) version delivers 600 Nm of torque, accelerates the sedan from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, and has combined fuel economy of 35 mpg US (42 mpg UK, 6.7 L/100km)—a 12% improvement in fuel economy over the 2.7-liter V6 diesel. The engine is also available in a 240PS (237 hp, 177 kW) variant, with 16% more power and 15% more torque than the 2.7-liter diesel.
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European Automakers Question Aspects of New EU Fuel Quality Directive
December 29, 2008
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has raised several technical issues with the fuel quality directive adopted by the European Parliament earlier in December as part of the climate change package. Among the elements of the fuel quality directive is a low carbon fuel standard. (Earlier post).
ACEA’s technical concerns with the fuel quality directive fall into three categories: metallic additives; biofuel blends and labelling; and fuel specifications.
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European Parliament Climate Change Package Includes Vehicle CO2 Regulations and Low Carbon Fuel Standard
December 20, 2008
The European Parliament this past week approved the EU’s climate change package intended to achieve a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 20% improvement in energy efficiency, and a 20% share for renewables in the EU energy mix by 2020. (Earlier post.)
Included in that package is the regulation setting CO2 emissions performance standards for new cars registered in the EU (based on the compromise worked out earlier, earlier post) as well as a revised fuel quality directive that incorporates a low carbon fuel standard.
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EEA Report Calls For New Approaches and Measures To Reduce Transport Demand
December 19, 2008
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| Efficiency improvements have not been sufficient to offset growth in transport demand. Click to enlarge. Source: EEA |
Reducing the spiraling carbon footprint of Europe’s transportation sector will require new approaches and measures to reduce transport demand, according to a new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
The report—Beyond transport policy - exploring and managing the external drivers of transport demand— urges policy makers to take a fresh approach to address the transport growth of transport, supporting “realistic” measures that include pricing schemes for unsustainable mobility and improving citizens’ awareness about the environmental consequences of their shopping basket and travel choices.
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European Parliament Adopts Euro VI Heavy-Duty Emissions Proposal, Advances Implementation
December 18, 2008
The European Parliament adopted a Euro VI compromise proposal, worked out with the European Council, for emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. Emissions standards in the adopted proposal are the same as in earlier versions, but they will now apply de facto from 31 December 2013 for new vehicles, nine months earlier than the Commission proposed.
The proposed Euro VI regulation lays down harmonized technical rules for heavy vehicles of more than 2,610 kg, with which all new vehicles will have to comply in order to get the necessary type approval.
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PSA Peugeot Citroën and Robert Bosch GmbH Enter Strategic Partnership for Diesel Hybrids
December 09, 2008
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| Bosch develops a range of hybrid technologies and components, including battery, electric drive, brake management, engine management and transmission controls as well as electric motors, the necessary power electronics, and DC/DC converters. Click to enlarge. |
PSA Peugeot Citroën and Robert Bosch GmbH have agreed to a strategic partnership for diesel hybrid technology. The recently signed agreement calls for Bosch to co-develop, industrialize and supply electric motors and power electronics for PSA Peugeot Citroën’s four-wheel-drive diesel hybrid powertrain.
Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show on the Peugeot Prologue and Citroën Hypnos concept cars (earlier post) , this diesel hybrid technology will equip Peugeot and Citroën vehicles starting in 2011.
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European Parliament and Council Reach Agreement on Automotive CO2 Regulations
December 02, 2008
Following a series of meetings between Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and the French Presidency of the Council, the two sides have informally agreed upon the details of future targets on CO2 emissions from cars. The compromise identifies a longer-term reduction target; allows phased-in implementation of the shorter-term target; and reduces proposed penalties against carmakers that exceed the limits.
The informal compromise is based on the Commission’s proposed target of an average of 120g of CO2/km for new passenger cars (M1 category) by 2012, compared to the current levels of 160 g/km. A target of 130g/km is to be reached by improvements in vehicle motor technology; the subsequent 10g/km reduction is to come from other technological improvements and by an increased use of sustainable biofuels. Key elements of the compromise include:
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EU to Exceed Criteria Air Pollutant Limit Partly Due to Growth in Road Transport
December 01, 2008
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| Sum of EU Member State aggregated projections compared with EU-27 emission ceilings defined in Annex I and Annex II of the NECD. Source: EEA Click to enlarge. |
Despite significant emission reductions in recent years, only 11 EU Member States expect to remain within their emission limits for all four air pollutants set by the EU National Emission Ceilings Directive (NEC Directive), according to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The limit on NOx remains the most difficult to meet. This is partly due to the fact that demand for road transport has grown faster than anticipated.
The NEC Directive status report by the EEA presents country-specific and EU-wide information for the four pollutants covered by the directive: sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and ammonia (NH3). Preliminary results were reported in May this year.
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Europe Closing in on 6% Lower Carbon Road Fuel Standard by 2020
November 30, 2008
Europe is moving closer to finalizing a new fuel quality law which will require fuel suppliers to cut full life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions from road fuels by 6% between 2010 and 2020.
ENDS (Environmental Data Services) reports that the cuts are expected to come from production efficiency improvements and a switch to biofuels and other cleaner fuels. Biofuel sustainability criteria will be added to the new law once they have been agreed in separate negotiations relating to the new Renewable Energy Directive.
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Germany Aiming for 1M EVs and PHEVs by 2020
November 28, 2008
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| Battery costs are the largest hurdle for a successful market for electric vehicles, according to a VW presentation at the conference. Click to enlarge. |
The German federal government wants to take strong measures towards electric and hybrid vehicles in the next ten years, with the goal of putting one million electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles onto Germany’s roads by 2020. Germany currently has a car parc totalling about 46.1 million vehicles, according to figures published by the European Automobile Manufacturers’s Association (ACEA), with a total vehicle fleet of around 49.7 million as of 2006.
The plan, announced during a German national strategy conference on electric mobility (Nationale Strategiekonferenz Elektromobilität) held in Berlin earlier this week, was drafted jointly by the departments of Economics, Transport, Environment, and Education & Research. It will be finalized and put into legislation early next year.
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European Commission Proposes €200B Economic Recovery Plan; €5B Green Cars Initiative
November 26, 2008
The European Commission presented a €200 billion (US$257 billion) Recovery Plan—equivalent to 1.5% of European GDP—to pull Europe’s economy out of its current crisis. One of the elements of the plan is a €5 billion (US$6.4 billion) “European green cars initiative”.
The plan will use a wide range of policies and instruments. The co-ordinated fiscal stimulus of around €200 billion comprises around €170 billion (1.2% of GDP) from Member States, and around €30 billion (0.3% of GDP) as EU level action within the EU budget and from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The stimulus will stay within the Stability and Growth Pact, while making use of the full flexibility offered by the Pact.
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VERBIO Grain Ethanol Can Emit Up to 80% Less CO2 on Lifecycle Basis Than Gasoline
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| Greenhouse gas emissions of the individual ethanol production process steps. Red line is the German BioNachV basic value. Click to enlarge. |
Bioethanol produced from grain (rye or wheat) by German biofuels producer VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG can emit up to 80% less CO2 than gasoline on a lifecycle basis, depending upon the feedstock and facility design, according to a study carried out by the Heidelberg IFEU Institute (Institute for Energy and Environmental Research) and commissioned by the VERBIO.
VERBIO is a leading producer and supplier of biodiesel and bioethanol in Europe, with nominal annual capacity of around 450,000 tonnes of biodiesel (~136 million gallons US) and 300,000 tonnes of ethanol (~100 million gallons US). The study examined ethanol production at VERBIO’s two facilities in Schwedt/Oder and Zörbig, with the aim of determining how much CO2 can be avoided under the prevailing production conditions. The results show that all the techniques and plants under investigation return significantly better CO2 savings than the 30% which are specified in the German Biomass Sustainability Ordinance (BioNachV).
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Toyota Auris to Offer New 1.33L Dual VVT-i with Stop&Start
November 19, 2008
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| Toyota Optimal Drive 1.33-liter Dual VVT-i gasoline engine with Stop&Start. Click to enlarge. |
Toyota is applying its new 1.33-liter, Dual VVT-i gasoline engine with Stop&Start in the Auris. The engine is also to be applied in the iQ. (Earlier post.) The new 1.33L engine in the Auris delivers a 19% improvement in fuel consumption and a 17% decrease in CO2 emissions compared to the previous 1.4L VVT-i unit.
The new Auris 1.33 Dual VVT-i Stop&Start is being branded as an “Optimal Drive” vehicle. (Earlier post.) Toyota Optimal Drive covers a range of different technologies that can be applied to achieve real-world results in decreasing fuel consumption and emissions without compromising driving pleasure. This approach, Toyota says, is in contrast to “some car manufacturers which have elected to launch special eco-themed models with design, engineering and equipment tweaks to achieve lower emissions and better fuel consumption, often at the cost of comfort and driving pleasure.”
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European Automakers Look for a “Supportive Framework” Including €40B in Low-Interest Loans
October 30, 2008
The European automotive industry needs a supportive framework to secure its future, according to a mid-term review of CARS21 (Competitive Automotive Regulatory System for the 21st Century) held at the European Commission in Brussels. Hosted by European Commission Vice-President Guenter Verheugen and with the participation of five automaker CEOs, national ministers and other stakeholders, the meeting reviewed progress since the start of CARS21 in 2005, and looked ahead to 2020 and beyond.
The meeting concluded that such a supportive framework should consist of four components: “better regulation”; a €40 billion (US$51.7 billion) low-interest loans package to support the development and deployment of fuel-efficient technologies (earlier post); market incentives; and favorable, reciprocal trade relations. Following the meeting, Verheugen told a news conference that the European Investment Bank could help the car industry with low-interest loans.
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New UK £100M Low-Carbon Vehicle Program Contains Funding for EV Demonstration Projects and Development
October 27, 2008
The UK government is putting £100 million (US$157 million) into a new £200-million public-private investment program to speed up the introduction of new low carbon vehicles onto Britain’s roads. (Earlier post.) The UK’s Technology Strategy Board will manage the five-year program through its Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform, and it will be guided by an industry-led advisory panel.
Demonstration project. Included in that commitment, as outlined by UK Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon at an international experts meeting convened in the UK to explore the challenges of bringing electric vehicles to market, is an ultra low-carbon vehicle demonstration competition that aims to see up to 100 new innovative cars on the road in several locations around the UK by the end of 2009.
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EU-15 on Track to Meet 2012 Kyoto GHG Target, Despite Mixed Performances; 20% Reduction by 2020 Not Attainable Without Further Measures
October 19, 2008
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| EU-15 greenhouse gas emissions and projections for the Kyoto period 2008–2012. Click to enlarge. Source: EEA |
The EU-15 should meet its collective target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 8% for the period 2008–2012, according to a new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA). A large part of this decrease will come from emission reduction projects that EU countries will finance in other countries.
The report also gives a long-term estimate of the emissions situation in Europe. Although emissions are projected to continue decreasing until 2020 in the EU-27, the 20% reduction target compared to 1990, endorsed by European leaders in 2007, will remain out of reach without the implementation of additional measures, such as the EU energy and climate change package proposed by the European Commission in January 2008, according to the report.
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UK Government Invests £100M in £200M Low Carbon Vehicle Program
October 14, 2008
The UK government is putting £100 million (US$175 million) into a new £200 million investment program, jointly funded by government and business, to speed up the introduction of new low carbon vehicles onto Britain’s roads.
The Low Carbon Vehicle Integrated Delivery Programme will co-ordinate the UK’s low carbon vehicle activity from initial strategic research through collaborative research and development, leading to the production of demonstration vehicles. The Technology Strategy Board will manage the five-year program through its Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform, and it will be guided by an industry-led advisory panel.
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GM Europe Equips Cadillac BLS with New 1.9L Diesel and 2.0L Flex-fuel Engines
October 10, 2008
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| The Cadillac BLS. |
GM Europe is offering two new engines on its 2008 Cadillac BLS: a new 132 kW (177 hp) diesel unit and a 147 kW (197 hp) Flexpower gasoline-ethanol flex-fuel engine. The 2008 Cadillac BLS range is now available with a choice of two common-rail diesel and four gasoline engines; all six engines are turbocharged.
Engine outputs range from 110 kW (147 hp) to 188 kW (252 hp); every engine is available with manual or automatic transmission.
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Biofuels Accounted for 2.6% of UK Road Fuel in First Reporting Quarter
October 07, 2008
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| Biodiesel accounted for 84% of the renewable road fuel in the UK in the first reporting quarter. Click to enlarge. Source: RFA |
The Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA), the UK’s independent sustainable fuels regulator, released its first interim quarterly report which includes disclosure of company performance on the supply of biofuels under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO).
In the year to April 2009, fossil fuel companies are obliged to supply 2.5% biofuel in UK road fuel. Biofuels accounted for 2.61% in the first quarter. More biodiesel (84%) has been supplied than bioethanol (16%). The carbon reduction achieved by the use of biofuels (44%) during the first three months of the obligation is greater than the 40% target set by the Government for the first year of the RTFO.
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European Automakers to Seek €40 Billion in Loans from EC
October 06, 2008
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| Sales of personal cars are on the decline in Europe. Click to enlarge. Source: ACEA |
European automakers will approach to European Commission (EC) seeking €40 billion in loans (US$54 billion) to support their shift to lower GHG-emitting vehicles, according to Fiat CEO and former ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association) president Sergio Marchionne, in interviews given to several financial newspapers at the Paris Motor Show.
The request mirrors the new program of US$25 billion in loans from the US government to domestic automakers and suppliers for retooling factories to produces more fuel-efficient vehicles. (Earlier post.)
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McKinsey Report Concludes CCS Could Be Economic at New Power Plants by 2030
September 29, 2008
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| While many CCS component technologies are relatively mature, to date there are no fully integrated, commercial-scale CCS projects in operation. Click to enlarge. Source: McKinsey |
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) at new power plants could become economic by 2030, according to a new report by management consultancy McKinsey & Co. The report, which focuses on the European power generation market, projects CCS costs in the reference case scenario down to around €30-45 (US$43-65) per tonne of CO2 abated by then—costs which are in line with expected carbon prices in that period.
Early CCS demonstration projects will have a significantly higher cost of €60-90 per tonne, according to the report. Early full commercial-scale CCS projects—potentially to be built soon after 2020—are estimated to cost €35-50/tonne CO2 abated.
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European Parliament Environment Committee Holds Firm on 2012 CO2 Reduction Target for New Cars
September 25, 2008
The Environment Committee of the European Parliament today voted 46-19 to hold to an average target of 120g of carbon dioxide per kilometer from new passenger cars (the M1 category) by 2012. It also voted for a new long-term target of 95g CO2/km for 2020. The current level is around 160 g/km.
Of the 120 g/km target, 130 g/km is to be reached by improvements in vehicle motor technology. The further 10 g/km reduction is to be obtained by using other technical improvements such as better tires or the use of biofuels.
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Study Suggests Consumer Demand for Plug-in Hybrid Technology May Be Higher Relatively in Europe than in US; Expectations for Electric Range are High in Both Regions
September 18, 2008
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| Likely PHEV buyers in both Europe and the US have high expectations for mileage resulting from a single charge. Click to enlarge. |
Figures from the annual AutoTECHCAST Europe study conducted by Harris Interactive show that 20% of Europeans are very (13%) or extremely likely (7%) to purchase a vehicle that has plug-in hybrid technology, not taking into account estimated market prices. A further 25% are likely to make that purchase.
In comparison, the earlier Harris Interactive AutoTECHCAST US found that 15% of Americans are very (11%) or extremely likely (5%) (percentages do not add precisely due to rounding) to purchase a vehicle with plug-in technology, with an additional 17% likely to make that purchase.
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Euro Parliament Maintains Target of 10% Renewables in Road Transport Fuel by 2020; 40% of That From Non-Food Biofuels, Electricity or H2
September 11, 2008
The European Parliament’s Industry Committee has approved a co-decision report that maintains a 10% renewables component in transportation fuels by 2020, but specifies that at least 40% of this overall share must be met by non-food second-generation biofuels, electricity or hydrogen.
The decision came in the context of growing pressure to reduce the biofuels obligation given concerns of rising food prices and sustainability.
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EDF Energy and Toyota Launch UK Trials of PHEV
September 10, 2008
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| Charging the Prius PHEV in Westminster. Click to enlarge. |
EDF Energy and Toyota are extending their European plug-in hybrid testing program to the UK. The beginning of the UK road trials marks the first introduction of a PHEV by a car manufacturer to the UK.
The trial builds on the first European PHEV testing program launched by Toyota and EDF on French roads in September 2007. (Earlier post.) The UK partnership is designed to evaluate vehicle performance within an urban environment, vehicle infrastructure requirements, and driver behaviors and expectations.
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Volvo Introduces C30, S40 and V50 1.6D DRIVe Models with Lower Fuel Consumption
September 09, 2008
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| Volvo’s 1.6D DRIVe models. |
At the upcoming Paris Motor Show in early October, Volvo Cars will introduce new diesel variants of the C30, S40 and V50 models with fuel consumption of 4.4 liters/100 km (53.5 mpg US) (C30) or 4.5 liters/100 km (52 mpg US) (S40 and V50). The corresponding CO2 figures of 115 and 118 g/km give the C30 and V50 best-in-class CO2 emissions in their segments. All three models are equipped with a special set of efficiency-enhancing features and marked with the DRIVe emblem to signal their uprated environmental properties.
The DRIVe models are based on the Volvo C30 Efficiency concept car that was shown at the Frankfurt motor show in October 2007. (Earlier post.) The measures adopted to reduce CO2 emissions that were presented then will be in production before the end of the year in the C30, S40 and the V50.
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European Parliament Calls for 40% of EU Transport Appropriations for Railways and Freight
September 06, 2008
The European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the European Commission to allocate at least 40% of EU transport infrastructure appropriations to the railways and prioritize freight to reduce the need for road transport.
Members of Parliament (MEPs) urged the Commission to concentrate EU co-financing on improving the efficiency, interoperability and upgrading of rail infrastructure, inter-modal hubs and other freight transport modes. The report was adopted with 541 votes in favor, 6 against and 15 abstentions.
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European Parliament Adopts Legislative Report for EU Type Approval of Hydrogen Vehicles; Support for Hydrogen Blends and European Hydrogen Filling Station Network
September 05, 2008
The European Parliament adopted a legislative report proposing the establishment of harmonized technical provisions for the type approval of hydrogen-powered vehicles for the first time. There is a need to introduce EU-wide approval criteria for such vehicles, to safeguard not only the operation of the single market but also to ensure a high level of safety and environmental protection, according to the Parliament.
Since hydrogen-powered vehicles are not currently included in the EC type-approval system, Member States may grant approvals for such vehicles on a one-time basis without having to lay down new laws. In such a practice there is a risk that every Member State will draw up its own approval conditions.
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European Poll Finds 87% Support Urgent 25% Reduction in New Car Fuel Consumption
September 01, 2008
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| 87% of respondents think a 25% reduction in fuel consumption is very or fairly urgent. Click to enlarge. |
An opinion poll in five major European countries—France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK— found a strong majority (87%) of those surveyed support an urgent reduction in new car fuel consumption of 25%—equivalent to the 120 g CO2/km target being discussed by the European Parliament. The results come ahead of decisive votes in the European Parliament on proposed new legally-binding target for new car CO2 emissions.
The poll—carried out by TNS Opinion—probed close to 5,000 people in the five countries. Almost half (46%) of respondents think that requiring manufacturers to reduce the fuel consumption of vehicles is the best approach to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, ahead of tax incentives (27%) and promoting fuel-efficient cars through better information (13%). Seven percent support restrictions on the use of cars.
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French Government Declares Car Feebates System a Success
August 28, 2008
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| Basic parameters of France’s feebate system. Click to enlarge. |
French environment minister Jean-Louis Borloo declared a bonus/malus (“feebate”) system introduced to encourage car buyers to make greener purchase choices a success.
According to official figures, sales in France of vehicles consuming less than 130 g/km CO2 increased 45% increase in the eight months since the scheme was introduced. In that time, average CO2 emissions from new cars sold fell by 9% (8 g CO2/km). There was, however, a surge in purchases of 4x4s between the scheme’s announcement and its introduction.
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Report: BMW Shows Most Improvement in European Fuel Efficiency; Auto Industry Will Fall Short of CO2 Targets
August 26, 2008
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| European automakers’ average CO2 emissions for 2007, and the calculated targets for 2007. (See notes below.) Click to enlarge. |
BMW AG improved fuel efficiency in 2007 at four times the average rate of other major manufacturers, according to an analysis of European Union data commissioned by Transport & Environment (T&E), a sustainable transport campaign group. However, the aggregate performance of the industry was not enough to meet proposed EU CO2 targets for new cars.
The average new car sold by BMW in 2007 typically consumed 7.3% less fuel than in the previous year, leading to a cut in average CO2 emissions from 184 g CO2/km in 2006 to 170 g/km in 2007 according to the T&E report. The average improvement for all cars sold in the EU was 1.7%, with resulting industry average CO2 emissions of 158 g/km.
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Report: Emissions of Criteria Pollutants Down in Europe; Transport Remains Main Source of NOx, CO and NMVOCs
July 28, 2008
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| Road transport’s contribution to NOx, CO and NMVOCs in the Eu-27. Click to enlarge. |
A new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows that road transport remains the single main source of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), and the second-most important source of fine particulate emissions (PM10 and PM2.5) in the EU-27.
The report acknowledges that most EU-27 countries have reduced their emissions of air pollutants over the past decades. However, other studies show that pollution continues to undermine local air quality, particularly in urban areas. The report identifies road transport, manufacturing industries and construction, the residential sector and agriculture as the main sources of air pollution in Europe today.
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UK DfT Calls for Comments on Compulsory CO2 targets for Autos
July 11, 2008
UK Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly launched a consultation—a call for comments—on European Commission proposals to introduce compulsory CO2 targets for new cars. The proposed target of 130 gCO2/km by 2012 as the fleet average for each car manufacturer across the EU for all new cars will is seen as an important step forward in tackling climate change and in incentivizing the use of technology that will improve the fuel efficiency of new cars.
The UK is also urging the EU to adopt a longer term target—100 gCO2/km by 2020. This would deliver a cut in CO2 emissions from new cars by an extra five million tonnes a year by 2020, in addition to the six million tonnes cut under EU proposals. It could also reduce the running costs for motorists buying new cars by about £500 a year by 2020, according to the government.
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UK Gallagher Review Calls for Significant Slowdown in Introduction of Biofuels
July 07, 2008
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| Proposed trajectory of EU biofuels policy. The orange section provides a guaranteed market for renewable fuels to develop while control measures are introduced. Green illustrates a proposed mandatory obligation for advanced technology fuels from appropriate feedstocks. The blue section shows how the market for current technology might develop beyond 2013/14 if measures to ensure the sustainability of biofuels supplied proved successful including in avoiding indirect land-use change. Click to enlarge |
The just-released Gallagher Review of the indirect effects of biofuels production, requested by the UK government from the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) earlier this year, concludes that while there is a future for a sustainable biofuels industry, feedstock production must avoid agricultural land that would otherwise be used for food production.
According to the Review, the displacement of existing agricultural production, due to biofuel demand, is accelerating land-use change and, if left unchecked, will reduce biodiversity and may even cause greenhouse gas emissions rather than savings. As a result, the Review Calls for a significant slowdown in the introduction of biofuels “until adequate controls to address displacement effects are implemented and are demonstrated to be effective.”
