Brussels – The European Commission’s Strategy for Low-Emission Mobility aims to introduce new CO2 standards for cars, vans and trucks, but proposes little to curb the emissions of the air, rail and shipping sectors.
Transport represents around a quarter of European emissions, and whilst cars and buses currently offer the best, and easiest, opportunities for decarbonisation, NGOs have expressed concern that the Strategy is not ambitious enough in tackling air, maritime and rail transport.
Post-2020 standards for cars and vans are currently being developed by the Commission, which is also exploring new ways to incentivise low- and zero-emission vehicles, including targets and infrastructure development. The Strategy recognises that substantial investment is required in infrastructure for alternative fuels, as well as for moving from food-based biofuels to advanced biofuels, if low-carbon transportation is to take off.
Additionally, the Commission intends to introduce a reform of emissions testing, with ‘real driving’ emissions tests to regain consumer trust following the Volkswagen diesel testing scandal.
For more information, see the ’European Strategy for Low-Emission Mobility’.
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