Category: Automotive Industry

News about Automotive Industry

Auto sector CEOs to EU leaders: Europe needs robust Industry Deal to make the Green Deal happen

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13 CEOs of leading European vehicle manufacturers and automotive suppliers met today with the EU Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, for an ‘Automotive Roundtable’ to discuss the green transition of the sector. This was preceded by a meeting with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, ahead of next week’s EU Summit on competitiveness.

in CLEPA, 10-04-2024

The auto industry – one of the most important sectors of the EU economy – is at a critical junction as it makes its biggest transformation in the last century, revving up to meet the world’s most ambitious CO2 reduction targets for vehicles.

Automotive manufacturers and suppliers want to maintain production in Europe, keeping jobs and investment in the region. But they are currently facing a ‘perfect storm’ of fierce global competition for critical resources, funding, investments and customers, compounded by rising costs of doing business, a radically changing geopolitical landscape, and an electric vehicle market that is far from mature. Given these profound challenges, Europe must strengthen its competitiveness and build a stronger business case for the auto industry’s green and digital transition.

Mr Hoekstra committed to holding this roundtable during his confirmation hearing in the European Parliament, as he stepped into his role as Climate Commissioner late last year. Its aim was to identify the practical barriers to implementing the Green Deal, and possible ways to address these.

Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group and President of ACEA: “EU car manufacturers are strongly committed to decarbonisation, investing over €250 billion in electrification, but we cannot make this transition alone. Europe needs to create the conditions for competitiveness and market demand for electric vehicles. These include charging and hydrogen refilling infrastructure, a sufficient supply of critical raw materials, better access to finance, and market incentives. In other words, a holistic industrial strategy will be the key to achieve Europe’s green ambitions.”

Matthias Zink, CEO Automotive Technologies at SCHAEFFLER and President of CLEPA: “Europe’s automotive suppliers drive innovation and sustainability with €30 billion in annual R&D investments and 1.7 million direct jobs. Suppliers are key enablers of the transition, bringing smart and sustainable mobility solutions to market. However, in the context of a challenging economic environment, a downturn in EV adoption and diminishing profits within the supply chain, funding the transition becomes key. It is therefore crucial to ensure that framework conditions are in place to de-risk investments in innovative technologies and the transformation of facilities and our workforce. The regulatory framework must remain ambitious yet flexible to keep Europe competitive. This will help us reach our goals faster and more efficiently while also catering to consumer needs.”

During the roundtable, both European truck and bus manufacturers and automotive suppliers underscored the pressing need for getting zero-emission trucks and buses on roads. The sector is committed to providing the right trucks and buses to move the road transport industry into fossil-free solutions by 2040, focused on battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Technology neutrality should remain a guiding principle ensuring that all technologies contribute to decarbonisation efforts. Recognising that the internal combustion engine will continue to play a long-term role in heavy-duty transport, climate-neutral solutions and other complementary technologies will be needed to meet our climate targets. But the overarching challenge persists. Achieving the CO2 reduction targets remains highly ambitious in the near absence of vital enabling conditions, such as a dense network of truck-suitable charging and refuelling stations and a supportive carbon pricing framework to ensure cost parity for zero-emission vehicles. The European auto sector calls on Europe’s policy makers to take ambitious action to address these concerns.

 

 

Notes to editors

The CEOs present at the Automotive Industry Roundtable with Commissioner Hoekstra were:

Vehicle manufacturers / ACEA:

  • Luca De Meo, CEO, Renault Group; President of ACEA
  • Harald Seidel, President, DAF Trucks NV; Chairperson of ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board
  • Martin Sander, CEO, Ford in Europe
  • Domenico Nucera, President, Bus Business Unit, Iveco Group; Chairperson of ACEA bus and coach division
  • Ola Källenius, CEO, Mercedes Benz Group AG
  • Christian Levin, President and CEO, Scania Group
  • Didier Leroy, Chairman of the Board of Management, Toyota Motor Europe
  • Thomas Schäfer, Member of the Board, Volkswagen Group; CEO, Volkswagen Brand; Head of Brand Group Core

Automotive suppliers / CLEPA:

  • Matthias Zink, CEO Automotive, SCHAEFFLER?and President of CLEPA
  • Dr Markus Heyn, Chairman Mobility, ROBERT BOSCH GmbH
  • Marco Stella, CEO, Duerre Tubi Style SpA
  • Patrick Koller, CEO, FORVIA
  • Dr Holger Klein, CEO, ZF

 

About ACEA

  • The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents the 15 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group
  • Visit www.acea.auto for more information about ACEA, and follow us on www.twitter.com/ACEA_auto or www.linkedin.com/company/ACEA/

About CLEPA

  • CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers based in Brussels, represents over 3,000 companies, from multi-nationals to SMEs, supplying state-of-the-art components and innovative technology for safe, smart and sustainable mobility, investing over €30 billion yearly in research and development. Automotive suppliers directly employ 1.7 million people in the EU.
  • Visit clepa.eu for more information about CLEPA, and follow us on https://twitter.com/CLEPA_eu or www.linkedin.com/company/clepa

 

 

CLEPA Press Release: Fair regulation will enable greener and smarter solutions for the aftermarket and a stronger mobility ecosystem in Europe

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Market outlook: Industry leaders emphasise the need for a clearer legislative framework to unlock innovation and competitiveness in the aftermarket.
Advocacy for fair regulation: CLEPA calls for a sector-specific legislation, and supports the intention of the Commission to regulate secure access to OBD only if covering all vehicle interfaces.
Innovation takes centre stage: 10 start-ups pitch cutting-edge aftermarket solutions, offering promising advancements in sustainability, talent acquisition, customer experience, and more.

in CLEPA, 26-03-2024

The automotive aftermarket in Europe faces a transformative landscape shaped by sustainability policies, technological advancements, and evolving regulatory frameworks. Ahead of the upcoming European elections, the 15th edition of the CLEPA Aftermarket Conference welcomed a distinguished line-up of policymakers, specialists and trendsetters providing insights and strategic guidance for a more competitive mobility ecosystem.

The event, held on 20 & 21 March in Brussels under the theme “Digital and Sustainable Solutions for a Competitive Aftermarket,” brought together over 250 participants, including top-level speakers from the European Commission and industry.

In his welcome speech, CLEPA Secretary General, Benjamin Krieger, stated: “Achieving sustainability strategies will only be possible with public support for the derisking of investments in new technologies and rules which are coherent and consistently in line with policy objectives. Looking towards the European elections, we have seen five years of unprecedented political and regulatory activity – now is the time to focus on implementation of these policies.”

CLEPA President, Matthias Zink, reaffirmed his commitment to shaping policies that foster climate action while supporting a competitive EU industry: “The overall regulatory framework in Europe must remain ambitious yet flexible to empower continuous innovation and allow all solutions to play their part. This will help us reach our goals faster and more efficiently while also catering to consumer choice.”

A line-up of 10 innovative start-ups showcased cutting-edge technologies in electrification, sustainability, big data and AI, offering a glimpse into future services in the aftermarket. Canadian BL Innovare won ‘best pitch’ for presenting their touchless drive-thru inspection system, capable of capturing thousands of measurements per second, offering a comprehensive vehicle check from documentation of the outer vehicle shape to the measurement of the wheel alignment angles.

On Day 2 of the conference, the first session centred on the legislative environment and market outlook for the European aftermarket, setting the stage for discussions on industry trends and regulatory developments.

Debbie Capell of S&P Global outlined major trends impacting the European aftermarket, including electrification and the surge of Chinese battery electric vehicles. Louise Wohrne, Chair of the Forum on Automotive Aftermarket Sustainability (FAAS), highlighted the association’s commitment to advancing sustainability along the aftermarket value chain. Mariam Lochoshvili from Next Automotive Aftermarket Generation (NAAG) focused on how talent acquisition and retention can be improved in the automotive industry. Sebastian Kempf of McKinsey presented a use case demonstrating how generative AI is unlocking new opportunities in mobility and the aftermarket, leveraging the complexity of the aftermarket business to drive AI-based solutions.

In the second session, Marcus Sacré and Thomas Funke from Osborne Clarke delivered a keynote on the relevance of the Repair and Maintenance Information (RMI)-legislation and the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption regulation (MVBER), highlighting enforcement challenges. This presentation was followed by a panel discussion focusing on how to maintain a level-playing field for vehicle repairers. The panel featured Mark Nicklas, Head of Unit Mobility at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Laurianne Krid from FIA Region I, Jeremy Smith from Belron and Jan-Willem van der Linden from CECRA. Discussions revolved around the legal framework’s role in maintaining competitiveness among aftermarket players. While sector-specific legislation on access to data remains in discussion in the Commission, the panel emphasised the immediate priority of regulating secure access to the On-board Diagnostics (OBD) and ensuring secure spare parts installation. CLEPA calls for a sector-specific legislation, and supports the intention of the Commission to regulate secure access to OBD only if covering all vehicle interfaces. Consensus was reached on the necessity of a clear legal framework to uphold competition and consumer choice, with the RMI-legislation and MVBER emerging as essential pillars with heightened relevance in the future.

The final session focused on the impact of AI technology and electrification on the aftermarket. Stefan van Dalen (Hella), Adnan Cemal (Hella Gutmann) and Bastian Mertens (AHEAD Automotive) introduced AI-powered aftermarket service solutions designed to aid technicians in navigating the complexities of various technologies. Alma Oprasic (Exfluency) showcased a translation tool using AI for multilingual technical documentation and repair manuals. Richard Stooß (Authentic Vision) and Alfred Wimmer (Dana) showed their approach to smart customer engagement through secure product authentication. Bas Wintjes (WESP) explained how data can be used to make repair shops even more efficient and profitable and Marlies Doornenbal (Auto Totaal Houten) and Michael Dittmar (Dittmar & Stachowiak) concluded the session by emphasising the importance of investing in the capability to offer service and maintenance for battery electric vehicles.

Frank Schlehuber, CLEPA Senior Consultant for Market Affairs, closed the 15th edition of the conference with an optimistic note, stating: “We are on the right track towards sustainability, and technologies like AI are pivotal in simplifying processes for a green and digital transformation. The Commission’s focus on formulating a new regulation for secure access to OBD signals progress, yet the challenge remains in extending this general solution to all available vehicle interfaces. I invite all to advocate for secure and fair access to vehicle interfaces, essential to sustaining a green and competitive, as well as an affordable and consumer-friendly, mobility ecosystem in Europe.”

The next edition of the CLEPA Aftermarket Conference is planned for Spring 2025.

 

 

About CLEPA

  • CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers based in Brussels, represents over 3,000 companies, from multi-nationals to SMEs, supplying state-of-the-art components and innovative technology for safe, smart and sustainable mobility, investing over €35 billion yearly in research and development. Automotive suppliers directly employ 1.7 million people in the EU.

 

 

CLEPA Joint Statement | Europe’s Consumers, Independent Automotive Service and Mobility Providers rally for urgent Commission action on vehicle data legislation

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Europe’s Consumers, Independent Automotive Service and Mobility Providers rally for urgent Commission action on vehicle data legislation

in CLEPA, 19-01-2024

  • Europe’s independent service providers and consumers reiterate the significant potential for safer, smarter and more affordable mobility that is being sacrificed due to the lack of regulated access to vehicle data.
  • Vehicle manufacturers have quasi-monopoly control over data generated by vehicles owned by European consumers and businesses. This heavily limits the choice of innovative services that independent service providers could provide – if they had equal access to vehicle data.
  • The group calls on President von der Leyen to urgently deliver the legislative proposal on access to vehicle data that has been eight years in the making.

A group of 10 representatives of independent automotive service providers have called on President von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners to urgently deliver sector-specific legislation on access to vehicle data. Together they represent 80% of the European automotive economy and include the continent’s automotive parts suppliers and distributors, workshops and their technology suppliers, mobility services companies, the insurance industry and consumers.

The majority of modern vehicles are connected and offer immense potential for safer, smarter and more affordable mobility for European consumers and businesses.

However, manufacturers’ quasi-monopoly control of vehicle data is impeding the development of services that independent service providers could offer. This limits service innovation and competition, restricting consumer and business choice, driving up prices and erodes Europe’s competitive position globally.

The group stresses the European Commission’s long-promised plan for a sector-specific legislation on access to in-vehicle data, functions, and resources is more necessary than ever. The Data Act neither addresses the quasi-monopolistic market structure nor the technical requirements in the automotive industry to make equitable data access a reality.

Action is urgent due to the regulatory cliff-edge in July when new cybersecurity laws kick in, potentially leading to the progressive shutdown of the only independent means of remote access to vehicle data (via the on-board diagnostic port).

The EU must urgently put in place equal access to vehicle-generated data for all market actors by delivering sector-specific legislation that protects consumer choice and encourages real competition and investment in digital transformation and data-driven businesses. Each day of delay stifles European innovation, job creation and the safer, smarter, more sustainable and affordable mobility that Europe’s citizens and businesses deserve.

***

“FIA members continuously seek to develop consumer services in mobility and beyond. But our efforts are hampered through the low quality, scarce and costly data made available by vehicle manufacturers. Fair access to vehicle data is essential in unlocking the full potential of innovative services, beneficial for consumers and all players in the aftermarket. A level playing field is needed to favour innovation for all players and not only a few.”

Karsten Schulze, ADAC Technical Services President.

 

“Ensuring full and real-time data access is essential for fleet companies to be able to offer smart, sustainable, and affordable mobility to their clients. There is no further time to lose as the automotive industry is moving at very high pace and the independent service providers risk losing their competitive position. Thus, we ask President von der Leyen to urgently deliver the legislative proposal on access to in-vehicle data.”

Tim Albertsen, Group Chief Executive Office of Ayvens (formerly ALD Automotive I LeasePlan).

 

“There is currently no level playing field in accessing vehicle data which is stifling competition and innovation. The European Commission must stop dragging its feet and urgently put forward EU regulation. This will enable insurers to provide better products and services to support the climate transition and improve road safety. It will also help them understand and manage the risks related to new and future forms of mobility, such as autonomous driving. Opening data access will prevent a few big companies controlling data and instead create a competitive market that delivers for Europeans.

Yann Arnaud, Director of Responses to Customer Needs & Innovation at MACIF, the French insurer, speaking on behalf of the European insurance sector.

 

“Leveraging anonymized vehicle intelligence and linked tyre data provides a tremendous opportunity for building creative solutions that will shape the future of mobility.”

Raghunath Banerjee, Vice President of Data Solutions at Bridgestone Mobility Solutions.

 

“Investments in services based on in-vehicle generated data require a stable and predictable business environment. A sector specific regulation is needed to create such environment.”

Benjamin Krieger, Secretary General of CLEPA.

 

About CLEPA

  • CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers based in Brussels, represents over 3,000 companies, from multi-nationals to SMEs, supplying state-of-the-art components and innovative technology for safe, smart and sustainable mobility, investing over €30 billion yearly in research and development. Automotive suppliers in Europe directly employ 1.7 million people in the EU.

 

 

CLEPA Press Release | Substantial additional investments will be needed to reach ambitious CO2 standards for trucks

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The European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have reached an agreement on the CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles today. While the political agreement positively includes electrified trailers and hydrogen engines, it falls short of embracing carbon neutral fuels.

in CLEPA, 18-01-2024

Benjamin Krieger, Secretary General of CLEPA, the European association of automotive suppliers, says, “We see positive movement with the inclusion of hydrogen fuelled engines and eTrailers, however, the role of renewable fuels as a complement to e-mobility still needs to be clearly defined.”

The review and assessment of the regulation will be essential to ensure the feasibility of the interim and longer-term targets which are the most ambitious targets to date and will be extremely challenging to achieve. A CO2 reduction of 45% by 2030 will require more than 400,000 zero-emission trucks on the roads – around 100,000 new zero-emissions trucks registered annually. Currently, less than 1% of newly registered trucks are electric, and many of the enabling conditions are lacking*.

Mr. Krieger goes on to say, “Progress towards electrification of the fleet and deployment of enabling conditions should be thoroughly reviewed in 2027, and if necessary, we should remain open to considering all technology options to reach compliance.”

The agreement will still need to be formally adopted in the coming weeks.

 

*Source: Statista, ACEA, European Commission, FuelsEurope

 

 

CLEPA PRESS RELEASE | Matthias Zink to serve as new CLEPA President

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CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, has elected Matthias Zink as its new President for a two-year term starting in January 2024.

in CLEPA, 09-01-2024

Mr Zink is CEO Automotive Technologies at Schaeffler and will succeed Thorsten Muschal who has held the position since 2020.

“CLEPA represents over 3,000 companies, from multi-nationals to SMEs, supplying state-of-the-art components and innovative technology for safe, smart, and sustainable mobility across Europe. As the largest private investor in R&D, with 30 billion EUR invested annually, the automotive supply sector is critical to enabling the green and digital transition in Europe. Keeping Europe competitive is a task for policymakers and industry alike”, said Mr Zink. “I wish to thank Thorsten Muschal for his four, successful years as CLEPA President, and I look forward to building on the work done and help strengthen the voice of our industry.”

Reflecting on his term, Mr Muschal notes, “I am proud of the achievements we have made together at CLEPA, especially considering the unprecedented challenges we have faced over the past three years. The transition is only beginning, and it is crucial that we continue to work together towards shared objectives.”

While vehicle production has gone up post-Covid, suppliers have managed to reduce CO2 emissions by increasing the use of renewable energy. However, this positive trajectory can only be maintained with continued significant investments to meet the goals of the green transition whilst remaining globally competitive.

“Affordable renewable energy, raw materials shortages, insufficient battery productions capacity in the EU, along with large infrastructure and grid needs demand a technology-diverse approach. The regulatory framework must remain ambitious yet flexible to empower continuous innovation and to keep Europe competitive”, said Zink. “At CLEPA, we stand ready to bring technological mobility solutions to market and to actively contribute to shaping policies that foster climate action and support a thriving EU industry.”

Watch Matthias Zink’s full video statement below.

 

 

About Matthias Zink

  • Matthias Zink is based at the headquarters of Schaeffler’s Automotive Technologies division in Bühl, Germany, where he became the CEO of Schaeffler’s Automotive Technologies division in 2017. Besides his position as CEO of Schaeffler’s Automotive Technologies he assumed responsibility for the Engine Systems and Chassis Systems business divisions as well as Global Key Account Management Automotive in 2019.

About CLEPA

  • CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers based in Brussels, represents over 3,000 companies, from multi-nationals to SMEs, supplying state-of-the-art components and innovative technology for safe, smart and sustainable mobility, investing over €30 billion yearly in research and development. Automotive suppliers in Europe directly employ 1.7 million people in the EU.

 

ATEQ joins AFIA

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ATEQ is now a worldwide company with offices in 40 countries selling and servicing more than 275,000 leak testers installed in more than 5,000 customers worldwide.

in AFIA, 24-10-2023

From its position as the world leader in Leak Test technologies for assembly lines, ATEQ has developed a whole range of industrial quality control equipment ranging from electrical testers to pressure and flow calibrators as well as pressure and flow calibration services traceable to all international standards.

Whatever your production activity is, we are capable of testing your products during all the process: automotive, e-mobility, aviation applications, medical, cosmetic, packaging, food industry.

https://www.ateq.pt/

 

CLEPA Press release | Environment Committee rejects improved pollutant emission standards

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In a parallel move to the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament’s Committee for Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) has voted today, weakening the European Commission’s proposal to enhance air quality across Europe. The committee adopted a set of compromise amendments, which entail a longer implementation timeline for heavy-duty vehicles, marginally stricter limit values, and weakened testing conditions. Proposals for slightly more ambitious rules were dismissed in the vote by the committee.

in CLEPA, 12-10-2023

Benjamin Krieger, Secretary General of CLEPA, the association of European automotive suppliers, says:

“A weak Euro 7, with delayed implementation, will neither support cleaner air, nor stimulate innovation in the EU. Despite progress on e-mobility, the EU is projected to sell 100 million conventionally powered cars in the next decade. The technology for a more ambitious Euro 7 is there, and it’s economically viable. Europe should not lag behind China and the US, who have both set ambitious targets on pollutant emissions.”

The ENVI Committee is the leading group for Euro 7 in the Parliament and sets the tone for the institution’s overall position, which is slated for November’s plenary session.

“Looking ahead to the plenary vote, we call for further improvements, such as shortening the implementation dates and tightening limit values and testing conditions as this will pave the way for a cleaner and more competitive future mobility.”

Once the Parliament has reached its position, inter-institutional negotiations between the Commission, Parliament and Council will begin and decide the fate of Euro 7 pollutant emission standards in Europe.

 

 

Joint statement on the importance of fluoropolymers for the clean energy transition and the EU’s Net Zero Industry

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The automotive industry is an important downstream user of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), including fluoropolymers, fluorinated gases, and short-chain PFAS. Fluoropolymers are used for several key technical components in the twin digital and green transition, including semiconductors and batteries.

in CLEPA, 04-10-2023

The Per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) restriction proposal drafted by five European countries and presented to the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) in January 2023 is an important pillar of the EU’s Chemicals Strategy. CLEPA and 14 other signatories, representing the key sectors in the achievement of the EU’s strategic autonomy, have published a joint statement where they acknowledge the rationale of the proposal to restrict and further regulate PFAS and support the ECHA in such efforts. However, the restriction proposal fails to recognise that fluoropolymers meet OECD requirements as polymers of low concern.

With the proper legislative framework in place to address fluoropolymers’ lifecycle emissions, the European Commission and ECHA should grant an exemption for fluoropolymer production (including relevant raw materials) and its use in industrial applications.

 

Download statement

 

 

CLEPA | Member states reject stricter vehicle pollutant standards

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  • In the next decade, an estimated 100 million conventionally powered vehicles will be sold in the EU
  • The Commission’s proposal could be effectively implemented with a few prudent safeguards
  • Regressing to Euro 6 will neither support stricter air quality limits nor stimulate innovation in the EU

in CLEPA, 26-09-2023

The Member states’ governments within the Council adopted yesterday the general approach for Euro 7. This forms the foundation for forthcoming negotiations with the European Parliament regarding the next phase of regulations on vehicle pollutant emissions.

Member states are lending their support to test conditions and limit values for cars, vans, and trucks that overall align more closely with the existing Euro 6/VI standards rather than the Commission’s proposed revisions, providing little, if any, contribution to improved air quality. The Council did not retain the new refuelling emissions requirements nor the reduced evaporative limits proposed by the Commission but did preserve the inclusion of limit values for tires and brakes.

Benjamin Krieger, the Secretary General of CLEPA, the association representing the European automotive supply industry, remarks, “Automotive suppliers support the advancement of Euro 7, with realistic testing conditions and limits. The Commission’s proposal could be effectively implemented with a few prudent safeguards. The required technology is available and economically viable. Regressing to Euro 6, as proposed by the Council, is not needed to maintain affordable mobility and will neither support implementing stricter air quality limits nor stimulate innovation in the EU. In the next decade, an estimated 100 million conventionally powered vehicles will be sold in the EU. This decision now determines whether the EU will have a role in shaping technology standards or leaves this prerogative to the United States and China.”

Bernard Lycke, Director General of CECRA representing cars, vans and truck dealers agents and repairers at European level, encourages the co-legislators to continue working on robust Euro 7 standards and their adoption before the upcoming EU elections in June 2024.

“This is crucial to enable a quick implementation of the new Euro 7 legislation. Indeed, millions of vehicles with internal combustion engines will continue to be sold, maintained and repaired in the next years and these should contribute to air quality improvements.”

A decision regarding the European Parliament’s position is anticipated on 12 October. Following the adoption of positions by both institutions, the Parliament and the Council, negotiations in the trilogue phase will commence.

 

 

CLEPA |

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epresenting the automotive supply and road transport sectors, CLEPA and IRU have addressed a letter to Members of the European Parliament calling for their support in preserving essential technology options under the new CO2 standards proposal.

in CLEPA, 14-09-2023

The signatories raise that the performance of the future EU road transport sector will very much depend on the technology options allowed by the CO2 standards regulation, as well as the enabling conditions required to successfully decarbonise the sector. They defend that a technology-open approach that allows for the coexistence of various vehicle propulsion systems is critical for the efficient operation of the single market, including for emergency responses to all types of crises.

The letter proposes 5 key recommendations for the CO2 regulation standards, to ensure technology diversity and guarantee an efficient decarbonisation of the freight transport sector:

  1. Leave adequate space for carbon-neutral fuels in heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) as a long-term solution for sustainable road transport alongside electrification and hydrogen
  2. Implement essential enabling conditions to achieve ambitious CO2 targets and ensure timely assessment of the legislation’s effectiveness
  3. Exempt high-capacity vehicles from the targets
  4. Include new vehicle groups to the CO2 emission reduction targets for heavy-duty vehicles
  5. Support regional passenger transport by reshuffling bus and coach targets

 

In the letter, CLEPA and IRU also raise that, for a well-functioning and stable EU mobility and logistics sector, the EU should allow transport companies to decide which technology is the most suitable for the various types of operations to achieve the common goal of carbon neutrality.

 

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