IP/08/1570
Brussels, 22 October 2008
Clean and energy efficient vehicles get
go-ahead
The European Commission welcomes today’s
support of the European Parliament for its proposal to promote a broad market
introduction of clean and energy efficient vehicles through public procurement.
This will reduce fuel consumption as well as
CO2 and pollutant emissions from road
vehicles. The EP vote is based on a compromise reached with the Member States,
which are expected to adopt the proposal shortly.
Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, in charge of transport, said: "This
agreement marks an important step forward in the energy, climate and environment
policies of the European Union. The public sector in Europe will set an example
by promoting new and better vehicle technologies for a future sustainable
transport system. This sends a clear signal to the market and to the citizens on
the competitive value of technologies which save energy and protect the
environment."
The proposed Directive will introduce, for the first time, energy
consumption, CO2 and pollutant emissions as mandatory award criteria
into public procurement of vehicles. It applies to public authorities and
publicly owned undertakings and to undertakings running public passenger
transport services. As a result, not only the price of a vehicle, but also the
impact it creates during its lifetime for the environment are reflected in the
purchase decision. Flexibility is provided for local authorities on the detailed
implementation.
A harmonised methodology is defined for monetising lifetime costs for energy
consumption, CO2 and pollutant emissions. This enables a transparent
comparison of vehicle investment costs with the costs linked to the operation of
vehicles. This facilitates an informed purchase decision and can avoid costs
both for operators and for society.
The Directive is expected to have an impact well beyond its immediate scope.
Public procurement is a key market of high visibility and can lead the decisions
in business and private sectors. The Directive therefore is expected, over the
long term, to result in a considerably faster and broader market introduction of
clean and energy efficient vehicles and in a reduction of their costs through
economies of scale. This will then contribute to improve energy efficiency, and
reduce CO2 and pollutant emissions of the whole vehicle fleet in
Europe.
For more information:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/clean/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/clean/promotion/index_en.htm
|