EU CO2 Rules

A major coalition urges the European Union to revise CO2 emission standards for cars and light commercial vehicles, advocating a tech-neutral approach that includes renewable fuels on the path to 2050 net-zero targets.

EU CO2 Rules – A significant coalition of thirty diverse stakeholders has issued a joint appeal to the European Union, urging a targeted revision of CO2 emissions regulations for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Their goal is to fully integrate the contribution of renewable fuels into the EU’s journey towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

While firmly supporting the Paris Agreement goals and acknowledging electric mobility as a primary pathway, the signatories advocate for a technologically neutral approach. They emphasize that, beyond electrification, renewable fuels – including biofuels, biogas, synthetic fuels (RFNBOs), and recycled carbon fuels (RCFs) – are indispensable. Their climate impact, therefore, must be systematically recognized within CO2 reduction standards.

Key Amendments Proposed for Effective Decarbonization

The joint document outlines five crucial requests for the upcoming revision of the CO2 regulation for light-duty vehicles:

  1. Equal Treatment for All Vehicles: Renewable fuels’ contribution should be recognized for both new and existing vehicles. Current CO2 rules apply only to new vehicles, while the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) covers all fuels. Extending this recognition would incentivize investments across the entire value chain.

  2. Introduction of a Carbon Correction Factor (CCF): A CCF is proposed to reflect the actual share of renewable fuels in the EU energy mix (over 5% in 2022). This factor would correct the current distortion that assumes internal combustion engines are 100% fossil-fueled, thereby accurately accounting for real CO2 reductions. For example, a vehicle emitting 100g/km CO2 would be counted as 95g/km with a 5% renewable share.

  3. Zero-Emission Status for 100% Renewable-Fueled Vehicles: Vehicles powered exclusively by renewable fuels should be recognized as zero-emission, on par with battery electric and fuel cell vehicles. This status should also extend to taxation and allow market introduction before 2030 to stimulate vital investments.

  4. Unified Legal Definition for Renewable Fuels: A binding European legal definition for renewable fuels, aligned with the RED, is deemed essential. This definition should ensure that CO2 captured during fuel production equals that released during combustion, providing crucial legal and investment certainty.

  5. Gradual Increase in CO2 Reduction Requirements: Minimum CO2 reduction levels for renewable fuels must progressively increase. The revised regulation should outline a long-term trajectory for new production facilities, ensuring coherence with EU climate targets and incentivizing high-efficiency innovation.

If adopted, these proposals could accelerate road transport decarbonization through a more inclusive and realistic strategy. They also aim to stimulate innovation and investment across a broader range of clean technologies, enhancing strategic flexibility for the European automotive industry.

Redazione Fleetime

Source ANFIA