Automobile manufacturers publish views on biofuel directives

Brussels, 14 November 2012 – Automobile Manufacturers have published their comments on the European Commission’s proposal to amend both the Renewable Energy Directive and the Fuel Quality Directive.
The European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association (ACEA) welcomes the new proposal of the Commission to amend the Renewable Energy Use Directive (RED) and the Fuel Quality Directive (FQD) that was published on 17 October 2012. ACEA is pleased that the Commission has responded to ACEA’s views regarding biofuels highlighted during the CARS21 process and in other forums. This Commission proposal is a first step that recognises the importance of Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) and aims to stimulate the pathways to more advanced biofuels. ACEA has several key comments on the proposal, and the industry requests that these be considered in the legislation:
- The importance of high quality fuels
In the automotive sector, it is particularly important that the fuels are of the highest quality, regardless of their production method. Robust European Committee for Standardization (CEN) standards are required to ensure the quality of both the pure biofuel and final fuel blends, as well as to ensure they meet performance and environmental needs.
- The definition of a sustainability pathway
On the basis of this proposal, the co-legislators must now quickly define a clear pathway for stable EU policy. This should help make the rapid transition to cleaner, sustainable and high quality biofuels in order to significantly improve environmental and climate change impacts as well as societal acceptance in a truly integrated approach. Further, the Commission must note that without adequate regulatory and market support there may be insufficient non-food biofuels produced to meet the 2020 target, given the proposed cap on food-sourced biofuels.
- The consistent application of ILUC
Legislation must be applied consistently and cover all ILUC factors so that carbon-accounting for all fuel sources is accurate and carried out uniformly and scientifically.
- The harmonisation of national measures
The pathway for general market fuels needs to be fully harmonised between all member states. The European automobile industry urges all member states to follow the same approach and introduce E10 and B7 according to common CEN standards. These should deliver sustainable and year-round high quality biofuels. Member states and stakeholders can help ensure customer acceptance of new fuels with a coordinated and comprehensive communication strategy.
- The focus of R&D
More intensive research support and demonstration projects for second/third generation non-food based biofuel pathways in FP7 and Horizon 2020 are needed to strengthen EU competitiveness in this sector and to encourage the market-uptake and production of these sustainable biofuels in the EU.
- Sectoral targets
Renewable energy use targets should not be just for road transport to deliver. All transport modes (eg, railways, waterways etc) and other energy-consumption activities (non-road) must contribute to meeting the targets. In order to encourage a level-playing field between fuel and energy alternatives, renewable energy use targets must not solely apply to fuels used by the automotive industry.
About ACEA
- The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents the 14 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, 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/.
Contact:
- Cara McLaughlin, Communications Director, cm@acea.auto, +32 485 88 66 47.
- Ben Kennard, Content Editor and Press Manager, bk@acea.auto, +32 487 39 21 82
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About the EU automobile industry
- 13.0 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
- 11.5% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
- €374.6 billion in tax revenue for European governments
- €101.9 billion trade surplus for the European Union
- Over 7% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
- €59.1 billion in R&D spending annually, 31% of EU total