By Chris Jones - 12th December 2005
New rules for the European automotive sector have been criticised for being too industry-friendly at the expense of environmental protection.
European Enterprise and Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen unveiled the new strategy – called CARS 21 – on Monday after agreeing the plans with industry, environmental and consumer groups.
“There was complete consensus on the framework, and everyone has agreed to abide by the commitments made within it,” Verheugen said.
The aim was to help create “the car of the future”, he said.
“It will be much safer, with electronic stabilisers, braking assistance and daytime headlights.”
“It will also be cleaner, with massive reductions in particulate and greenhouse gas emissions.”
But the German commission vice-president stressed that the ambitious goals set out by the CARS 21 initiative could not be achieved by the car industry alone – or overnight.
“Car makers can only go so far to meeting the goals we have set out. We also need industry to invest more in biofuels, governments to introduce taxation systems based on CO2 emissions and improve road safety and drivers to rethink the way they use their cars.”
“Our aim is to produce a car that makes zero emissions – based on a hydrogen engine – but that is likely to be at least 15 years away.”
“Car makers are doing what they can to cut emissions, but just ten per cent of the cars in circulation are new, so any improvements will take a long time to become widespread.”
“That is why we need an integrated approach to reducing emissions, with everyone making a contribution.”
Weaker legislation
The European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E), which promotes the use of green transport, said it was disappointed at lack of ambition in the framework.
“The ten-year road map contains no new policies to combat rising overall emissions and several existing policies are set to be weakened.”
T&E said that the new targets set for CO2 emissions were lower than under existing EU rules.
And the so-called Euro 5 emissions standard for particles and other pollutants – which Verheugen confirmed would be approved next week – falls short of proposals put forward six months earlier.
Diesel cars will have to reduce particulate emissions by 80 per cent, as well as reducing nitrous oxide (NOX) emissions by 20 per cent, while petrol cars must reduce NOX emissions by 25 per cent.
“European car makers will soon begin selling dirtier diesel cars in their home market than they export to buyers in the United States,” said T&E, adding that there was no commitment to further cuts in emissions.
“Verheugen has repeatedly called for Europe to produce the 'cleanest' cars in the world - but the EU is further from reaching this goal today than it was before CARS 21 was set up,” T&E said.
Chinese action planned
Verheugen underlined the pro-industry stance of CARS 21 by promising action against China for unfair competition.
“We are looking into the possibility of a WTO panel against China for certain practices,” he said.
The recent decision to increase import tariffs on car parts – forcing European manufacturers operating there to use local suppliers – was one area of concern.
European companies are also obliged to have a Chinese partner in any business they set up there, with no guarantee of control over the resulting company, the commissioner added.
“I am 100 per cent committed to defending the European car industry, but this does not mean protectionism,” Verheugen said.
“It is about creating a level playing field for European car makers, making sure that everyone else plays by the same rules.”
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.