Ref. Ares(2021)7445583 - 02/12/2021
1. STEERING BRIEF
Scene Setter
You will meet
to discuss how the future EU
R&I
funding can help industry to remain competitive, also in a view of recent
regulations
on CO2 emissions and safety.
The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) represents 15 major
Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers.
1 ACEA is proactive in following market and
policy developments, and has a strong voice in representing interests of the industry. The
sector employs 12.6 million people (5.7% of the EU employed population), generating EU
annual trade surplus of EUR 90 billion. Automotive sector is also a key driver of
knowledge and innovation, being Europe's largest private contributor to R&D, with more
than EUR 50 billion invested annually.
PSA Group,
is a French
multinational manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot,
Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands.
The Commission's 3rd
Mobility Package (May 2018) included a series of legislative
initiatives establishing measures for vehicles and infrastructure safety; the first ever CO2
standards for heavy-duty vehicles; a strategic Action Plan for the development and
manufacturing of batteries in Europe and a forward-looking strategy on connected and
automated mobility. The 2nd Mobility package (November 2017) among others presented
legislation on post-2020 standards on CO2 emissions for cars and vans.
ACEA has welcomed Commission's actions in the area of vehicle safety and connected and
automated mobility, and furthermore encourages the Commission to remove regulatory
barriers and to allow automated driving to be deployed on European roads, as well as pay
specific attention to cybersecurity issues in connected and automated driving.
However, it has, with a particular criticism, reacted to the CO2 regulations. It claims that
the CO2 reduction levels proposed are too aggressive and cannot be achieved. While new
regulation on trucks foresees 15% reduction by 2025, and 30% reduction by 2030, ACEA
proposed 7% reduction by 2025 and 16% by 2030. At the same time, NGOs claim that the
ambitious targets should have been put at 40% reduction by 2030. ACEA had a similar
position on CO2 emissions from cars and vans, urging lawmakers to "come up with
realistic figures, taking into account market realities”.
Objectives
− To hear about the position of ACEA on the future of transport R&I priorities;
− To hear about the position of ACEA on the recent regulations, incl. on CO2 emissions;
− To explain how the Commission is supporting competitiveness through current and
future R&I funding programmes for transport.
1 BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe,
Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco, Jaguar Land Rover, PSA Group, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe,
Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars, and Volvo Group. 2/4
Line to Take
− Confirm that Europe's vision is
clean, connected and competitive transport.
Therefore main R&I priorities in Horizon 2020 are the transport
automation and
electrification, including
batteries. Alternative powertrains are supported through the
European Green Vehicles Initiative Public-Private Partnership (EU funding
EUR 700 million), automation has a dedicated call in the transport Work Programme
(EUR 220 million), and the EU has already invested or allocated more than
EUR 450 million for projects on batteries. Moreover the
EU Batteries Alliance,
established by VP Šefčovič, aims at increasing competitiveness of European
automotive sector through establishing battery cell manufacturing base in Europe.
− Stress the importance of automotive industry in Europe for creating jobs and growth.
However, it shall
ensure the transformation and
secure large investments towards
developing and deploying
digitalised and clean technologies to remain competitive.
We have to confront the fact that China is about to lead the transition towards electric
vehicles in the future.
− On the other hand, acknowledge the fact that even the most optimistic forecasts
estimate
only a half of the new cars and vans sold in 2040 to be fully or partially
electric. The reliance on conventional fuels and internal combustion engines in the
truck and coach sector will remain especially significant. Therefore, it is of a crucial
importance that industry mobilises forces to
deploy recent technologies and
innovations (coming also from EU-funded projects), which have demonstrated ways to
increase powertrain efficiency and reduce emissions.
− Stress that recently published stricter regulations on the post-2020 CO2 standards for
light duty vehicles and the first ever CO2 standards for heavy duty vehicles are
absolutely needed to ensure the obtainment of climate targets in Europe.
− Challenge ACEA with the argument that
nations worldwide have already
implemented strong regulatory measures (United States, Canada, Japan and China)
and, in order for European manufacturers to access these markets and remain
competitive, the emissions performance of vehicles has to be improved. Moreover it is
considered that the widespread use of
already available technologies to reduce CO2
from trucks could bring about 15 to 20% CO2 emission savings by 2025 (as defined in
the Impact Assessment of the regulation).
− Inform that the
future R&I Framework Programme Horizon Europe will continue
support for transport. One of the five thematic clusters "Climate, Energy and Mobility"
will include several intervention areas focusing on transport competitiveness,
decarbonisation, digitalisation and batteries. Ask ACEA's views regarding which areas
shall be further supported within the European R&I projects.
− Positively welcome the fact that ACEA partners are active in participating in EU
funded projects. Emphasise the importance to
bring project results to market and
encourage ACEA to continue their work on closing this gap between researchers and
industry.
− The future form of co-designed and co-programmed
partnerships within
Horizon Europe is still under discussion. Enquire about ACEA's views on the future
collaboration in research and forms of partnerships.
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