New study looks into the potential of Heavy-Duty Vehicles to reduce greenhouse gases

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New study looks into the potential of Heavy-Duty Vehicles to reduce greenhouse gases

20/01/2012Applying fuel-saving technologies to all new Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDV) as of 2020 has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of HDV in 2030 to 28 % below 2030 projected business-as-usual levels, finds a study published by the European Commission today and financed by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).
The study is based on a comparison between HDV technologies offered in the United States and those offered in the EU, as many of the vehicle and engine manufacturers that sell products in the US are EU-based and thus technologies are expected to be similar.

It draws from the data gathered for a previous study (by AEA-Ricardo, see link below) and supplements the analysis with additional input gathered from original equipment manufacturers by the US National Research Council (NRC) and TIAX consultants.

This analysis ..

New study looks at the state of implementation of the CO2/car labelling Directive

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New study looks at the state of implementation of the CO2/car labelling Directive

19/03/2012A report prepared for the European Commission presents the state of play for the implementation of Directive 1999/94/EC ('the CO2/car labelling Directive') in eight Member States: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom. The study complements an earlier analysis of some other Member States prepared for the European Parliament's Environment Committee in 2010.
The study analyses the transposition of the Directive in the chosen group of Member States, highlights where national law goes beyond the scope of the Directive, and reports on the enforcement activities. The format and the application of the CO2/car label is the issue where the differences among the analysed Member States are the most significant. Based on an extensive desk research and consultation, including a stakeholder workshop, the ..

Results of the public consultation on reducing CO2 emissions from road vehicles

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Results of the public consultation on reducing CO2 emissions from road vehicles

23/04/2012The results of the Commission's online consultation on strategy and options to reduce road vehicle greenhouse gas emissions are now available.
Between September and December 2011, the Commission held an online public consultation on road vehicle CO2 emissions. The consultation was designed to gather input for a review of the 2020 targets for emissions of CO2 from cars and vans, for which an Impact Assessment is currently in preparation in view of a proposal to be presented this summer. The consultation also provides input for the Commission's work to develop a strategy on reducing Heavy Duty Vehicle greenhouse gas emissions, scheduled for 2013.

The online consultation received over 3,000 responses, the majority from individuals with 137 from registered stakeholder organisations.

A large number of respondents, primarily individuals, felt th..

European Commission joins Climate and Clean Air Coalition

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European Commission joins Climate and Clean Air Coalition

25/04/2012The European Commission has joined the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, a new international initiative to accelerate the reduction of emissions of short-lived climate pollutants such as methane, black carbon (soot) and hydrofluorocarbon gases (HFCs). The announcement was made at a meeting of the Coalition in Stockholm on 24 April and takes the number of Coalition partners to 13.
Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, said: “The European Commission is very pleased to join this Coalition. This initiative should complement the efforts needed under the UN climate change convention to cut global greenhouse gas emissions to a level that will limit global temperature increase to below 2°C. The Commission is willing to consider further support to concrete projects in developing countries to reduce emissions from short-lived climate pollutants.”

“Action on t..

New study looks at the costs of meeting the 2020 CO2 target for vans

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New study looks at the costs of meeting the 2020 CO2 target for vans

27/04/2012A report prepared for the European Commission presents an updated analysis of the feasibility and costs of reducing the average CO2 emissions from new light commercial vehicles (vans). The new report complements an equivalent analysis for passenger cars.
Regulation (EC) 510/2011 sets a target for vans of maximum emissions of 147gCO2/km by 2020. The main conclusion of the report is that new vans can meet this target at a lower cost than estimated in 2009. The report also assesses the effects of changing some key elements of the legislation, for example, the utility parameter used to set the individual targets for manufacturers, and the distribution of costs between different van producers.

The report underpins the impact assessment accompanying the forthcoming proposal to review the Regulation. The main objective of this review is to confirm the 2020 target for ..

Commission moves forward on climate and energy towards 2030

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Commission moves forward on climate and energy towards 2030

27/03/2013The European Commission today took the first step towards developing a 2030 framework for EU climate change and energy policies. Its Green Paper launches a public consultation on the content of the 2030 framework. The Commission also published a Consultative Communication on the future of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Europe, aimed at initiating a debate on the options available to ensure its timely development. The Commission also adopted a report assessing the EU and Member States' progress towards their 2020 renewable energy targets and on the sustainability of biofuels and bioliquids consumed in the EU.
Connie Hedegaard, EU Commissioner for Climate Action, said: “Europe's dependence on foreign fossil fuels is growing every year. That means more expensive and unaffordable energy bills for Europeans. This is not very wise. It's obviously not wise f..

CO2 emissions from new cars down by 3% in 2011

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CO2 emissions from new cars down by 3% in 2011

20/06/2012Europeans are buying more efficient cars. Average carbon dioxide emissions from cars continue to fall in Europe, according to preliminary figures released today.
Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said: “Europe's car manufacturers are delivering towards the 2015 CO2 targets. These data confirm that there's steady progress in improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions from new cars. This is a good sign for the capacity of Europe's car industry to innovate and thus maintain global competitiveness while making their products more efficient.”

The European Environment Agency today published provisional data on average CO2 emissions from new passenger cars registered in 2011. There were 12.8 million new cars registered in the EU in 2011. The average CO2 emissions from these cars were 135.7 grams CO2 per kilometre, which is 4.6g CO2/km less than in 2010 ..

More CO2 emission cuts from cars and vans: a win for the climate, consumers, innovation and jobs

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More CO2 emission cuts from cars and vans: a win for the climate, consumers, innovation and jobs

11/07/2012The European Commission today put forward proposals to implement targets that will further considerably reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars and light commercial vehicles (vans) by 2020.
Connie Hedegaard, EU Commissioner for Climate Action, said: ''With our proposals we are not only protecting the climate and saving consumers money. We are also boosting innovation and competitiveness in the automotive sector. And we will create substantial numbers of jobs as a result. This is a clear win-win situation for everyone. This is one more important step towards a competitive, low-carbon economy. More CO2 reductions beyond 2020 need to be prepared and these will be considered in consultation with stakeholders.”

The proposals will cut average emissions from new cars to 95 grams of CO2 per km (g CO2/km) in 2020 from ..

New study on cost effective means for reducing greenhouse gases from heavy duty vehicles

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New study on cost effective means for reducing greenhouse gases from heavy duty vehicles

24/09/2012A new study on Marginal abatement cost curves for Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDVs) is now available as part of the Commission's preparatory work for its strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from heavy duty vehicles. The study, prepared by CE Delft for the Commission, suggests a significant potential to secure reduced emissions with cost effective technical measures. Estimates contained in the study of break-even points for fuel saving technology uptakes are at this stage indicative.
The Commission is continuing its work with a view to presenting the strategy in 2013.

Read more:

Study on Marginal abatement cost curves for Heavy Duty Vehicles
Towards a strategy to address CO2 emissions from Heavy-Duty Vehicles

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CO2 emissions from new cars fell by over 3% in 2011

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CO2 emissions from new cars fell by over 3% in 2011

11/12/2012The European Commission today adopted a decision confirming provisional findings that average CO2 emissions from new cars in the EU dropped by 3.3% last year. This decision is based on emissions data gathered by the European Environment Agency and verified by car manufacturers.
The average CO2 emissions for the 12.8 million new cars registered in the EU in 2011 was 135.7 grams per kilometre. This is a drop of 4.6g CO2/km compared to 2010 and confirms that car manufacturers are on track to reach the 2015 target of 130g CO2/km.

The monitoring process includes the collection of data from Member States by the European Environment Agency and verification by the manufacturers themselves. This ensures a balanced assessment by the Commission of manufacturers' performance in meeting their specific targets. In 2013, the confirmed emissions for 2012 will serve as a basis for calculat..