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Natural Gas Vehicles Reduce CO2 NOW – ENGVA Message to European Parliament

Wednesday, 20 June 2007

France, Strasbourg

NGV Stakeholders Converge on Strasbourg
European OEMs Put Brakes on CO2 Reduction Targets

 

Natural gas vehicles (NGVs) and NGV industry stakeholders have converged on the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France taking a clear message to parliamentarians and officials in high EC offices – People talk about climate change and reducing CO2, Natural gas vehicles do it and do it now. In a move reportedly preceded only by the Dalai Lama, ENGVA managed to use their ‘considerable influence’ to secure parliamentary debating facilities for a Political Round Table, with 9 EU and industry representatives taking part in a vibrant debate that addressed the question; How can NGVs and renewable biomethane be part of a balanced transition to a cleaner, more secure energy future in Europe?
 

The event, which included an unprecedented display of more than 20 natural gas vehicles on the forecourt of Parliament, couldn’t have been timed better, coming just days after European OEMs called for an extension on European Commission intentions to legislate CO2 emissions.  To date the OEMs have been subject to ‘voluntary’ targets averaging 140 g/km of CO2 by 2008 and 120 g/km by 2012. With these targets now beyond the reach of the OEMs, the European Commission signaled intentions to impose legislation mandating levels that that OEMs must achieve.

In response to this move the OEMs, via their European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), issued a statement earlier this week urging the Commission not to impose limits below 130 g/km by 2015. ENGVA Executive Director Dr Jeffrey Seisler challenged the call, saying that OEMS are already supplying vehicles that can meet these targets – using natural gas as a fuel. Seisler gave the examples of the Fiat Punto producing CO2 emissions of only 119 g/km, The Fiat Panda 114 g/km and Peugeot and Renault models also producing CO2 emissions as low as 119 g/km. Seisler said that with the application of clever policy measures, credit could be given for OEMs who produce, promote and sell natural gas vehicles. He called on policy makers to make use of natural gas vehicle technology to create measurable CO2 reductions NOW rather than waiting until 2015.

Biomethane

Biomethane was the buzz word for the event though, with the upcoming EC Biofuels directive proving to be a key vehicle for the industry to meet its goals. Member of the European Parliament, Elerud Morgan, urged the industry to take advantage of upcoming and existing directives that provide opportunities for the industry. Morgan urged the industry to ensure that lobbying continued to have biomethane clearly defined in the Biofuels Directive. To date, biofuel measures have focused on liquid biofuels and ENGVA has already had some success with biomethane being ‘recognised’ as a biofuel. Morgan said it was up to the industry to ensure that it marketed itself in such a way so that once the Directive came into force, Member countries would be ‘falling over themselves’ to make use of natural gas vehicles to help them meet their obligations.

Morgan also gave the example of a Landfill Directive, already in force, which puts member countries under obligations relating to the disposal of waste. She added that the industry should present itself as a solution to this problem, with landfill biomethane facilities being used as a source for natural gas vehicles.

In terms of solving refueling infrastructure issues, Morgan was blunt, “Don’t ask us to solve the chicken and egg situation. That’s your problem to solve and not our role.” One consistent message of all the representatives present was clear support for natural gas vehicles, particularly using biomethane, but a reluctance to ‘play favourites.’ With many groups lobbying for attention, they suggested that increased awareness of NGVs was going to be the most effective tool for the industry to win the hearts and minds of local policy makers and vehicle users.

Closing the discussion, ENGVA Chairman, Peter Boisen posed the question to OEM representatives on the panel, Manuel Lage of IVECO and Gherardo Corsini of GM, “What is most important to you – R&D money or Directives to support market drivers?” Corsini, who earlier outlined an ‘obligation’ for OEMs to deliver natural gas vehicles, said that R&D support was not needed, implying that Directives would help drive the market. “The technology is well understood. What is needed is infrastructure and increased awareness.”

Both Boisen and Seisler were upbeat about the success of the event with Biosen saying afterwards, “Today we have shifted history. All of the representatives left here today with a deeper understanding of the strength of this industry and the benefits of NGVs. They know we mean business and also that we are making sense. I’m looking forward to following up with them all.”

Source: NGV Global