Ambitious EU targets for low carbon vehicles will be challenging to vehicle makers, say Europe’s motor manufacturers.
Car makers and parts suppliers as well as raw materials manufacturers are in favour of setting new and ambitious emission limits for the post-2021 period as a step towards achieving the EU’s climate goals.
The three organisations are also of the opinion that this must be done in such a way that will create positive synergies between environmental objectives and the promotion of investment, thus boosting innovation and having a positive impact on employment.
However, new standards should be economically and technologically achievable, and investment security for the industry has to be guaranteed.
Decarbonising road transport will require a number of different pathways, technologies and solutions. Technological neutrality is therefore essential to underpin Europe’s manufacturing leadership. At present, electric vehicles represent less than 1.5% of new car sales. The three organisations therefore support the greater market uptake of zero- and low emissions vehicles. At the same time however, they warn about the risks of imposing a binding mandate, especially as achieving this would be dependent on factors that are outside the control of the sector, such as energy supply, charging infrastructure, consumer acceptance (which is related to range and affordability), public subsidies and access to raw materials.