Automobile industry addresses challenges of decarbonisation

New vehicles make up just 5% of the entire motor vehicle fleet. “This shows that emissions goals that exclusively target new vehicles simply fail to address the bulk of the problem,” stated Zetsche. “We need a comprehensive approach that reduces CO2 emissions more effectively by drawing on the full spectrum of solutions, including vehicle technology, cleaner fuels, altering driver behaviour, improving infrastructure, and introducing intelligent transport systems.”

To gain a better insight into the potential of such an approach, ACEA brought together the expertise of more than 50 relevant transport-related stakeholders throughout 2015. The findings have now been summarised in a report entitled ‘Joining forces to tackle the road transport CO2 challenge’, which was launched in Berlin today.

Regarding the measurement of emissions, the automobile industry recognises that the current test cycle (NEDC), designed in the 1980s, is now obsolete. It therefore is actively contributing to an updated laboratory test – WLTP – as well as an additional new test to measure pollutant emissions on the road. This new procedure is known as Real Driving Emissions (RDE). “We need to move forward now with these tests in order to bridge the gap between lab and reality,” Zetsche stated.

Zetsche: “RDE and WLTP require a tremendous effort on the part of Europe’s car manufacturers, both in terms of investments and production. Still, manufacturers are fully supportive of these efforts and encourage the introduction of these new regulations because they will provide clarity for customers and the industry.” An important step would be to synchronise the implementation timeframes for WLTP and RDE, ACEA argues.

ACEA also launched the 2016-2017 edition of its Pocket Guide today containing the latest industry data on employment, registrations, trade, production and taxation.