The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and other bodies representing OEM suppliers and the fuel industry have sent an open letter to the European Union claiming that plans to increase restrictions on diesel technology would undermine efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.
The European Commission has already set targets for average CO2 emissions of 95g/km by 2021, but is assessing a tougher target of around 68-78g/km by 2025. The ACEA recently called for that decision to be delayed, given the slower-than-expected take-up of hybrid and electric vehicle technology by consumers.
(Above: car makers such as Peugeot have already revealed their ranges of Euro 6-compliant engines)
The letter says diesel cars are crucial if car makers are to meet EU targets. “Diesel cars, having significantly lower CO2 emissions per kilometer, are essential to manufacturers’ efforts to reach the EU’s 2021 CO2 fleet average targets and thereby help reduce road transport CO2 emissions and mitigate climate change. With continuing efficiency improvement, diesel will continue to be essential in meeting post-2021 targets.”
The letter also encourages the EU to do what it can to encourage people into newer, cleaner cars; those less than a year old currently only account for 5% of vehicles on the road. ACEA secretary general, Erik Jonnaert, said; “Policy should be technology-neutral to ensure the uptake of the latest low-emission vehicles. There is no reason to discriminate against clean diesel technologies. This does not make sense from an environmental or health point of view, and could be detrimental to the mobility of cities and businesses.”
July 14 2015