European Union
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:
ec.europa.eu/transport/clean/index_en.htm
ec.europa.eu/transport/clean/promotion/index_en.htm
