Carmakers want time to cut CO2 emissions

September 13, 2007 - 10:14AM
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The chief executives of Europe's leading carmakers have backed a European Union proposal to cut carbon dioxide emissions as the auto sector moves to face up to the challenges of global warming.
In a joint statement issued at the Frankfurt Motor Show by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), the chief executives of key brand names such as BMW, Ford of Europe and PSA Peugeot Citroen said they endorsed the push to reduce CO2 emissions from cars.
But Sergio Marchionne, ACEA president and chief executive of the Italian carmakers Fiat said the European car industry only supported the EU plan for a cut in emissions to 120 grams per kilometre by 2015 and not the 2012 EU deadline.
"Sufficient lead-time is indispensable ahead of legislation that is this important. Possibly, a phase-in could be considered," the chief executives wrote.
They said lead-time is a common practice around the world with the Japanese government having agreed on new CO2 requirements with the car industry last year resulting in average emissions of 138 grams CO2 per kilometre from 2015.
Car industry executives gathered in Frankfurt this week for what is the world's biggest motor show hoping to use the 10-day event to demonstrate their commitment to helping the fight to tackle climate change.
"We are strongly committed and take our responsibility very seriously," the chief executives said in their joint declaration on global warming.
"We count on a EU policy that supports our efforts. There is a lot at stake for both the environment and the economy", they said.
The chief executives called again on EU governments to embrace a cost-effective integrated approach towards cars and CO2 emissions, which they said would result in larger environmental gains and safeguard investments and employment in Europe.
"The EU objective to bring carbon emissions from cars down to 120 grams per kilometre is achievable through an integrated approach and we fully support that route", said Marchionne.
He said the key elements of such a comprehensive approach are improved car technology, as well as infrastructure changes, a more efficient driving style, CO2-related taxation and the greater use of biofuels.
The European automakers have already invested heavily in CO2- cutting technologies over the past decade, the ACEA said with the industry having faced criticism about its failure to come to grips with the threat posed by climate change.
More than 50 CO2 innovations were introduced since 1995 covering a wide variety of areas, such as engines and transmission, alternative fuel technologies, light-weight materials and aerodynamics, the ACEA said.
In their statement, the chief executives went on to say that the car industry needed adequate lead-time to prepare for specific legal requirements to reflect the long development and production cycles of the car industry.
Apart from BMW, Peugeot Citroen, Fiat and Ford of Europe, the ACEA members include DAF Trucks, DaimlerChrysler, General Motors Europe, MAN truck group, Porsche, Renault, Scania, Volkswagen Group and the Volvo Group.
© 2007