EC: EU moves closer to more robust testing methods for CO2 emissions and fuel consumption
On June 14, the technical regulatory committee gathering Member States representatives (Technical Committee of Motor Vehicles) voted in favour of the Commission’s draft proposal to introduce a new, more realistic, test procedure for measuring CO2 emissions and fuel consumption from cars and vans.
Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, said: “The Commission continues to respond to the car emission revelations with concrete measures. We recently introduced Real Driving Emissions tests to reduce the gap between NOx emissions measured in a laboratory – the current legal parameter – and actual emissions on the road. Now, we are also closing the gap on CO2 emissions and on fuel consumption. This is good news for the consumer and the environment.”
Miguel Arias Cañete, Commissioner for Climate Action, added: “This is a crucial step to restore credibility. Based on this new solid testing methodology, the Commission will propose new ambitious CO2 standards for the car sector for the period after 2020.”
The current laboratory test procedure to measure CO2 emissions and fuel consumption from cars no longer reflects today’s driving conditions or vehicle technologies. This is why the Commission is now proposing to adopt the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), a globally harmonised test procedure developed within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) with the support of the European Commission.
The draft implementing act will be sent to the European Parliament and Council shortly so they can exercise their right or regulatory scrutiny according to comitology rules. If the current text is endorsed, the new WLTP test will be mandatory for all new vehicle types from September 2017 and for all new vehicles from September 2018.
The WLTP will provide stricter test conditions and more realistic CO2/fuel consumption values to the benefit of consumers and regulators both at EU and national levels. It will be a strong incentive for the deployment of low-carbon mobility technologies.
The new CO2 emissions test complements the Commission’s work to reduce the level of NOx emissions through Real Driving Emissions testing, and the Commission proposal for a full overhaul of the type approval system to ensure greater quality and independence of vehicle testing, and more surveillance of cars already in circulation.
Together, this package of proposals will contribute to restoring consumer confidence in their cars and to more environment-friendly vehicles. For more information: Factsheet “European Commission tightens rules for safer and cleaner cars”.
Source: European Commission
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In: CLEPA News, Environment & Energy