Filenews 3 June 2022
By Harry Floudopoulos
An extremely crucial vote on the future of cars as we know them today will take place next week in the plenary of the European Parliament.
The reason for the regulation of CO2 emissions from vehicles as part of the FitFor 55 package to be voted on 7 June and will decide the future of vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs), and the possible elimination of their new sales from 2035, according to the Commission's proposal.
It is worth noting that on this issue a significant proportion of the European Parliament has supported the view that the contribution of renewable and low-carbon fuels to the reduction of CO2 emissions from vehicles should be recognised, through the adoption of a voluntary mechanism for exchanging credit between the car industry and fuel suppliers.
The adoption of such a mechanism would allow the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines beyond 2035, provided that these cars use liquid fuels with a low carbon footprint and not fossil fuels.
This proposal 'gives space' to renewable fuels to play their part in reducing emissions to the total of EUR 240 million. vehicles in circulation on European roads, as of today.
In fact, an open letter sent to members of the European Parliament by more than 100 bodies and fuel companies underlines that the industry supports political ambition and looks forward to the challenge of transition, especially in the field of mobility.
However, in order to achieve the objectives and not to lose support in the long term, the importance of the mix of technologies that can achieve the objective of reducing CO2 emissions without ignoring the reality for consumers and the needs of the industry must be understood.
The letter expresses concern that the Commission's proposals do not achieve this necessary balance. In the context of achieving the emission reduction targets, the letter underlines that there should be a focus on decarbonising the supply of electricity and fuel and not on banning or promoting one technology over another.
The proposal supported by the letter concerns the alternative strategy of the voluntary credit exchange mechanism, which focuses on eliminating the use of fossil fuels from transport in 2035, rather than the vehicles themselves, which will have multiple benefits for society and the economy.
The adoption of a voluntary credit exchange mechanism between the automotive industry and fuel suppliers is, according to the companies, a fully developed and practical solution ready for implementation.
The letter asks European legislators (European Parliament & Council of the EU) to recognise the contribution of renewable and low-carbon fuels to reducing CO2 emissions from vehicles.
Finally, it is noted that the letter is signed, among others, by important European Associations (CLEPA, FuelsEurope, eFuel Alliance, EBB, ECFD, UPEI and the Greek Association of Petroleum Companies of Greece-SEPPE), refining companies (HELLENIC PETROLEUM, Repsol, ENI, Neste, MOL), along with several gas companies, biofuels, as well as companies from the vehicle manufacturing sector such as SiemensEnergy, MAZDA, etc.
Source: Capital.gr
