Climate Action 2016-2017

TECHNOLOGY, TRANSPORT & URBANISATION
Automated driving will assist those with
reduced mobility – for example the elderly and
those with visual or other health impairments
– to continue or start to drive, either supported
by automated systems or within a fully
autonomous mode. Vehicles will not only be
connected with each other, but also with the
infrastructure around them. Traffic lights, for
example, will optimise transport flows. The need
for parking spots in cities could also be reduced
by up to 60 per cent thanks to self-driving
vehicles. Increased traffic efficiency means less
congestion, with people and goods arriving at
their destinations faster and emissions being
lowered significantly.
At the same time, tailored mobility and
transport solutions will lead to new ownership
models, customised intermodal mobility
solutions and new logistics concepts. As a result,
the auto industry’s traditional business model of
vehicle sales will be complemented by a range of
diverse, on-demand mobility solutions, especially
in urban environments. Freight transport will
also adapt to new logistics trends and systems,
based on a supply chain combining long-haul
and last-mile solutions, with logistics platforms
on multi-modal corridors – all managed by
intelligent transport systems.
Turning to the question of public transport,
the next generation of high-service collective
transport will be born, including bus corridor
concepts based on intermodality, with full
integration between cars, bus, rail and nonmotorised
mobility. However, privately-owned
vehicles will remain the main providers of
individual mobility, due to their flexibility and the
new scope to make valuable and productive use
of the time spent in vehicles. In addition, new
mobility concepts will offer on-demand mobility
whenever desired.
FIVE POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
The European automotive sector invests over
€44.7 billion in innovation each year to ensure
new levels of clean and smart mobility. But given
the fundamental nature of the challenges we face,
these mobility issues simply cannot be addressed
by industry alone – there is also clear need for
supportive public policies. ACEA expresses the
hope that COP22 will play a crucial role in setting
this agenda. To that end, I would like to share five
policy recommendations with you.
1. Foster innovation. Bearing in mind that
innovation is market-driven, the industry needs
the flexibility to drive it forward, with policies and
regulations that encourage it. The automobile
industry calls for support for dedicated
automotive initiatives and research that further
"Tailored mobility and
transport solutions will
lead to new ownership
models, customised
intermodal mobility
solutions and new
logistics concepts."
advances vehicle connectivity, environmental
performance and safety.
2. Adopt a comprehensive approach to
reducing emissions. We need to recognise
that the current emission limiting system has
limited environmental benefits, as it focuses on
new vehicle technology alone. A more effective
approach will look at the full fleet and how it
is used. Such a comprehensive approach can
reduce emissions more effectively by drawing
on a full spectrum of solutions, whether this
relates to intelligent transport systems, improving
infrastructure or altering driver behaviour.
3. Ensure a better coordination of climate
and air quality policies. While significant
progress has been made in reducing both CO 2
and pollutant emissions from vehicles, there is
still a technical challenge for car manufacturers,
as measures to reduce one often result in the
increase of the other. Over past years, EU policy
has focused on reducing greenhouse gas
emissions, resulting in the most stringent CO 2
targets for cars in the world. Looking forward,
"ACEA calls for a
holistic approach,
addressing all
modes of transport –
including air, maritime
and rail – and all
industrial sectors."
we need a coherent policy framework in which
ambitious climate change objectives are better
reconciled with tougher air quality standards.
4. Encourage a move to the cleanest
vehicles. The average age of road vehicles in
Europe has been increasing since 2000; for cars
it is currently close to 10 years. Fleet renewal
offers the most effective way to decrease road
transport-related emissions. As older vehicles
are replaced with newer models, emissions from
road transport will fall. The automobile industry
calls on policy-makers to help accelerate fleet
renewal and the introduction of the cleanest and
smartest vehicles.
5. Make sure that policy measures are
balanced. Our industry has already reduced
CO 2
emissions significantly and is committed to
doing more, but the relative costs of reducing
emissions must be similar and proportionate
across all sectors, in Europe versus the rest
of the world. For this reason ACEA calls for a
holistic approach, addressing all modes of
transport – including air, maritime and rail –
and all industrial sectors. Only a level playing
field will allow the EU automobile industry
to make the long-term investments that are
necessary to tackle future challenges
Erik Jonnaert is Secretary General of
the European Automobile Manufacturers’
Association (ACEA). Mr Jonnaert began
his career with the Linklaters law firm. He
subsequently joined Procter & Gamble, where
he worked for 25 years in public and regulatory
affairs, communications and stakeholder
relations. Before joining ACEA, he was Procter &
Gamble’s Vice President for External Relations in
Europe and Asia.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’
Association (ACEA, www.ACEA.be) represents
the 15 European motor vehicle manufacturers
providing technical and industrial expertise for
the policy-making process. ACEA’s members
are: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler, Fiat
Chrysler Automobiles, Ford of Europe, Hyundai
Motor Europe, Iveco, Jaguar Land Rover, Opel
Group, PSA Group, Renault Group, Toyota Motor
Europe, Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars, and
Volvo Group. ACEA’s Manifesto for Clean, Safe
and Smart Mobility can be found at: www.acea.
be/publications/article/manifesto-for-cleansafe-and-smart-mobility.
For information about
reducing CO 2
emissions from road transport more
effectively visit: www.reducingCO2together.eu.
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