The “Joining forces to tackle the road transport CO2 challenge”, an initiative launched by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), with the aim to identify the technologies and approaches that, according to various stakeholders, can have the greatest impact on reducing CO2 emissions from cars and light commercial vehicles. The key themes of the initiative are: looking into alternative fuel options; the potential of Intelligent Transport Systems to reduce CO2 emissions; the impact of infrastructure; the potential of involving the driver through more attention to eco-driving. The final report was put together with the support of different businesses, trade associations, NGOs, research bodies and think tanks. EHA contributed at the “looking into alternative fuel options” theme.

The Report defined Fuel Cell cars as electrically chargeable vehicles (ECVs) together at plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), range-extended electric vehicles (REVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). EHA pointed out that it is vital to encourage the realisation of a dedicated hydrogen infrastructure, as “the market will not cater for a change to a low carbon transport system by itself, especially where high initial investments in infrastructure are at stake and imply disadvantage for the first movers.” In addition, our association endorsed a coherent and predictable long-term strategy, regulatory framework and financial support mechanism for attracting the necessary (private) investments in both hydrogen infrastructure and vehicles.

Finally, the EHA underlined that a public-private approach and better pooling of available public and private resources are also essential. This would require more coordination and cooperation between the automobile industry, infrastructure providers, renewable energy suppliers, energy companies and local authorities.

Click here to read the “Joining forces to tackle the road transport CO2 challenge” report