Ref. Ares(2020)1960701 - 07/04/2020
Ref. Ares(2020)2296824 - 29/04/2020
Summary record - Meeting with ACEA on 31 January 2020.
The Executive Vice President met the representatives of the automotive sector and of ACEA.
Manufacturers underlined the significant economic importance of the automotive sector for the EU
economy and jobs. They stressed their support to the European Green Deal and the transition
towards road transport climate neutrality by 2050.
ACEA presented the key elements of its 10-points plan to help implement the European Green Deal,
and stressed the fol owing key points:
Maintain technological neutrality and refrain from mandating certain technologies for
specific vehicle segments. In addition discourage bans on specific technologies
Tackle the use of vehicles in the fleet as part of the holistic approach to carbon neutrality.
Include al energy carriers in a stronger EU ETS. Put forward policies supporting a reduction in
the GHG intensity of fuels, including sustainable biofuels.
Urgently deploy a EU-wide network of charging points and re-fuel ing stations as a key
element of increasing consumers acceptance for zero and low emission vehicles. There
should be an ambitious review of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (AFID), with
mandatory national targets and promote smart charging, also taking into account of the
specific requirements of the heavy-duty segment.
Ensure affordability of future new zero and low emission vehicles. In the HDVs sector,
ensuring business viability for these vehicles is essential.
Provide sufficient time to learn from the market dynamics on the deployment of zero- and
low-emission vehicles, before reviewing the CO2 standards.
Support research and innovation for zero- and low-emission vehicles and for low-carbon fuel
solutions. Also further improve the efficiency of the internal combustion engine.
Develop incentive schemes for vehicle users to encourage a swifter fleet renewal in al
vehicle segments, accelerating the uptake of new technologies. This should include revisions
of the European energy taxation system and of Eurovignette.
Support re-skil ing and skil s upgrading in the automotive industry as wel as giving financial
support to the transition.
Cal for support of the Commission to develop harmonized standards for the certification of
heavy duty vehicles under UNECE.
The Executive Vice President underlined both the chal enges and the opportunities of the transition
towards zero emission mobility. He stressed that the Commission wil accompany its future proposals
with thorough impact assessments. He cal ed for a continued constructive dialogue with the
automotive sector to prepare these policies. He recal ed the importance of a technology neutral
approach as a basis for policies, while stressing that solutions to facilitate the transition would need
to ensure that no one is left behind.