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21.05.2013:
CityMobil2 project launches its website
20.05.2013:
CIVITAS II Policy advice notes
16.05.2013:
CIVINET Slovenia-Croatia Network established
Status Quo
Mobility Basic Figures
Geographical Extent | 4.324.782 km² |
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The European transport system is a highly competitive sector and contributes significantly to the European economy. However, 97% of the vehicles are depending on fossil fuels. Thus it is the fastest growing sector in terms of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The environmental challenges are particularly acute for road transport which is responsible for 26% of final energy consumption and 24% of CO2 emissions. Energy use and emissions from the road sector have been continuously growing by approx. 2% per year.
In response to the yet weak impetus of improvements, the European Union recently adopted new Directives to enhance the contribution of the road transport sector to the environment, climate and energy policies of the Community. Legislation setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars was enacted in April 2009. Measures to improve fuel quality and a binding 10% target share of renewable energy sources in transport by 2020 were recently adopted as part of the Climate and Energy package.
In April 2009, the European Parliament and the Council adopted a Directive on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles (2009/33/EC), also referred to as the 'Clean Vehicle Directive'). Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by December 2010.
European Union policy
Research and Technological Development: The overall European Green Cars initiative has been allocated 5 bill in EUR. About 4 bill EUR are loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB). Within the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development of the European Union between 2007 and 2013 (FP7) i.e. Research Projects on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells are funded with about 470 mill EUR, and the CIVITAS Programme with additional 180 mill EUR. The aim is the improvement of conventional technologies (vehicle technologies, public transport systems) as well as the development of new technologies (biofuels, natural/biogas, hydrogen, hybrid, and electric).
Market Introduction: Promotion of clean and energy efficient vehicles through public procurement (the Clean Vehicle Directive requires the inclusion of energy consumption, CO2, and pollutant emissions aspects in the purchase decision support to joint procurement) including the development of schemes for public authorities by EU funded projects (COMPRO, PROCURA). The Clean Vehicle Portal as a central information source for clean vehicle procurement is one core instrument of the European Union to promote the market introduction of Clean Vehicle.
Funding: The European Union has various financial instruments/sources to fund the introduction of clean vehicles and related technologies, i.e. the European Regional Development Fund (one funding priority of the RDF in the 2007-2013 programming period is fostering Clean Transport), the European Social Fund (one funding priority of the ESF is capacity building for all good practises, i.e. green procurement) and the Cohesion Fund (Article 2 3rd Pillar of the CF 2007-2013 programming period defines clean urban transport and public transport activities as one priority for funding). Furthermore, the European Investment Bank has issued loans of about 4 billion EUR for clean vehicles in the Green Cars Initiative. The European Union has also defined guidelines on member state aid for environmental protection.
Market Regulation: The European Union has implemented various regulations fostering the use of clean vehicles, i.e. the EURO vehicle emission standards for light-duty vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles, standards on testing of exhaust emissions relating to roadworthiness tests of motor vehicles, standards and target market shares for biofuel (10% share of renewable energy sources by 2020), fuel quality regulations (reduction of CO2 intensity of fuels by 6 % until 2020), limitation of CO2 emission (Cars: 120g/km by 2015; proposed: LDVs: 175 g/km by 2012)
The achievements of European Union policy so far are considerable, i.e. in terms of energy efficiency (reduction of fuel consumption of new cars by 22 % from 7.6 l/100 km (1995) to 5.9 l/100 km (2008)), CO2 emission reduction (reduction of emissions of new cars by 18 % from 186 g/km (1995) to 153 g/km (2008)) and other pollutant emission reduction (reduction of particulate emissions by factor 18 for heavy duty vehicles (Euro I/1993 to IV/2006) and by factor 28 for cars (Euro 1/1993 to Euro 5/2009) by tightening the Euro emission standards).
Recent Europen Union Legislative Framework
COMMISSION DIRECTIVE of 3 April 2003 on adapting to technical progress Council Directive 96/96/EC regarding the testing of exhaust emissions from motor vehicles | |
COMMISSION DIRECTIVE of 27 October 2003 restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity | |
2004/18/EC and 2004/17/EC | COMMISSION DIRECTIVE on Public Procurement including references for the application of environmental criteria; also defines the legal basis for joint procurement |
2005/55/EC and 2005/78/EC | COMMISSION DIRECTIVE for heavy-duty vehicles defines the emission standard of Euro IV as well as Euro V |
COUNCIL REGULATION of 11 July 2006 laying down general provisions of the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation; Priority 52: Promotion of clean urban transport | |
An EU Strategy for Biofuels | |
COUNCIL REGULATION of 20 June 2007 on type approval of motor vehicles with respect to emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 5 and Euro 6) and on access to vehicle repair and maintenance information | |
COMMISSION DIRECTIVE of 21 May 2008 ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe | |
Action Plan on the Sustainable Consumption and Production and Sustainable Industrial Policy, COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Brussels | |
Communication which provides common precise quantitative targets, indicators and monitoring systems throughout the EU. It provides for the establishment of a regulation that will make it mandatory in Member States for the application of GPP will be defined | |
COUNCIL REGULATION of 6 August 2008 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the common market, applying Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty (General block exemption Regulation); Point (46) | |
COMMUNITY GUIDELINES ON STATE AID FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, Section 1.5.2 | |
COMMISSION DIRECTIVE of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC | |
COMMISSION DIRECTIVE of 23 April 2009 amending Directive 98/70/EC as regards the specification of petrol, diesel and gas-oil and introducing a mechanism to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and amending Council Directive 1999/32/EC as regards the specification of fuel used by inland waterway vessels and repealing Directive 93/12/EEC | |
COMMISSION DIRECTIVE of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles | |
GUIDANCE ON FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR VEHICLES |
Important European Union Programmes and Projects
STEER: The STEER projects promote the more sustainable energy use in transport (i.e. increased energy efficiency, new and renewable fuel sources, and the take-up of alternatively propelled vehicles). The specific focus is on alternative vehicle propulsion, policy measures for the more efficient use of energy in transport, and strengthening the knowledge of local management agencies in the transport field. In 2011 STEER will cover the two following Key Actions:
The call for proposal 2011 is open until 12 May 2011. | ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/call_for_proposals/call_library_en.htm |
GasHighWay has been established, aiming at promoting the uptake of gaseous vehicle fuels, namely biomethane and CNG, and especially the realisation of a comprehensive network of filling stations for these fuels spanning Europe from the north, Finland and Sweden, to the south, Italy - in other words: the GasHighWay. | |
PROCURA: Project for developing joint procurement models, fleet scan tools and manuals to facilitate the acquisition and maintenance of AFV vehicles for private and public fleets | |
COMPRO: COMPRO aims at creating an international buyers’ consortium of local authorities for the joint procurement of clean, collective, public service transport vehicles | |
STARBUS: Development of decision making tool for choosing between all energy alternatives like Biofuels, NGV, LPG, Diesel when purchasing urban busses | |
Eurotopten: Topten is a web portal guiding consumers to the most energy efficient appliances and cars in Europe including passenger cars. A guideline for the public procurement of clean vehicles was developed within Topten (see downloads) | |
Buy Smart (successor of GreenLabelsPurchase): The project Buy Smart, funded by the European program "Intelligent Energy Europe", provides free consultation and information material on green procurement | www.buy-smart.info (http://www.greenlabelspurchase.net/) |
Green Post: A European project with the objective of rendering postal services more sustainable | |
BIOSIRE: The project aims at a shift towards bio-diesel and electric propulsion for fleets, ships and special vehicles in tourist areas in Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Croatia and Austria | |
BIOMOTION: BioMotion aims at increasing the use, knowledge and acceptance of biofuels. Given that one of the main obstacles to the use of biofuels is a lack of awareness and insufficient knowledge, BioMotion will create a solid and extensive knowledge platform | |
ALTER-MOTIVE: The core objective of this project is to derive an action plan for implementing effective least-cost policy strategies (for the EU, specific countries & regions) to achieve a significant increase in innovative alternative fuels and corresponding alternative, more efficient, automotive technologies to head towards a sustainable individual & public transport system. | |
FLEAT: FLEAT has the objective to increase energy efficiency for different types of fleets: fleets of public authorities, public transport fleets, private fleets with mainly company cars, private fleets with mainly utility vehicles. | |
RECODRIVE: “Rewarding and Recognition Schemes for Energy Conserving Driving, Vehicle Procurement and Maintenance” is a project aiming at merging existing ecodriving initiatives with good fleet management and logistics optimization practice to push fuel saving in fleets beyond 10%. The webpage includes a calculator for the amortisation of specific training courses due to fuel savings. | |
SU:GRE: Sustainable Green Fleets is an accompanying measure promoting alternative propulsion and mainly focuses on fleets, but not only with regard to land transport. The main objective is to promote and support the conversion of fleets to alternative propulsion (ranging from bio-fuels, methane as fuel to hybrid systems comprised of combustion engines and electric propulsion systems) and their energy efficient use | |
Clean Vehicle Portal: The web portal that you use | - |
HyFLEET:CUTE: The project brings together 31 partners from industry, government, academic and consulting organisations for the operation of 47 hydrogen powered buses in regular public transport service in 10 cities on three continents | |
CIVITAS PLUS CIVITAS - cleaner and better transport in cities - stands for CIty-VITAlity-Sustainability. With the CIVITAS Initiative, the EC aims to generate a decisive breakthrough by supporting and evaluating the implementation of ambitious integrated sustainable urban transport strategies that should make a real difference for the welfare of the European citizens. Current CIVITAS projects are: | |
NICHES+ is to promote innovative measures for making urban transport more efficient and sustainable and to move them from their current "niche" position into a mainstream urban transport application. NICHES+ builds further on the NICHES project, and is funded by the DG Research under the 7FP. It will run from May 2008 until April 2011. NICHES+ will involve 7 champion cities in the implementation of innovative concepts | |
BEST (Bioethanol for Sustainable Transport): The project deals with the introduction and market penetration of bioethanol as a vehicle fuel, establishment of infrastructure for supply and fuelling of bioethanol, and the introduction and wider use of ethanol cars and flexible fuel vehicles on the market | |
BIOGASMAX: The European Biogasmax project creates a network of biogas-related demonstrations on the European territory with the aim of sharing experiences in terms of best practices in managing urban transportation | |
CLEANTRUCK: During 2010 Stockholm will be a test environment for eco-trucks. The project "Clean Truck" includes vehicles powered by biogas, ethanol and natural gas | - |
PARFUM: The project was built on the implementation of pilot applications in the city centres of Padova and Bremen with the potential to reduce vehicle related emissions with an emphasis on particulates and nitrogen oxides | |
DME: Demonstration of DeMethyl Ether Vehicle for Sustainable Transport | |
IMMACULATE: IMprovement of urban environMent quality of Air and noise levels by an integrated Cost-effective and mUlti Level ApplicaTion of clEan vehicle |
Important Europen Union Funding
EIB loans for green vehicle initatives | The EIB loans will support organisations carrying out research, development and innovation focusing on cleaner forms of road transport, particularly emission reductions. EIB clients are public and private sector bodies and enterprises. The project promoted by the public or private client must be in line with the lending objectives of the EIB and be economically, financially, technically and environmentally sound. As a rule, the Bank lends up to 50% of the investment costs of a project. www.eib.org/products/loans/index.htm |
CIVITAS Initiative | The CIVITAS Initiative helps cities to achieve a more sustainable, clean and energy efficient urban transport system by implementing and evaluating an ambitious, integrated set of technology and policy based measures. Funding opportunities for smaller projects are made available through a dedicated CIVITAS Activity Fund, which regularly opens Calls for Applications. www.civitas-initiative.org/main.phtml |
Intelligent Energy - Europe programme | The IEE is the EU's tool for funding action to improve these conditions and move us towards a more energy intelligent Europe. In 2010 some € 56 million are available, supporting up to 75% of the eligible project costs. Any public or private organisation from the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Croatia can apply. ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/ |
FP7 | FP7 will use €4.16 billion to develop safer, greener and smarter pan-European transport systems (including Creating 'greener' road transport) that will benefit all citizens, respect the environment, and increase the competitiveness of European industries in the global market. cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm |
Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund in 2007-2013 | A funding of the purchase of environmental friendly vehicles for public transport (85% co-financing) can be received from Structural Fund and the Cohesion Fund programmes in 2007-2013 (i.e. the Interreg IV programme) for various new EU Member countries, i.e. the Baltic Countries, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia Republic and Slovenia. The EU funds are managed by national institutions and partly co-financed by national sources. |
Important European Union Information Sources
Gateway to the Eurpoean Union: | |
EU transport policy: | |
EU energy policy: | |
EU environmental policy; Green Public Procurement | |
ec.europa.eu/research/transport/info/green_cars_initiative_en.html | EU research policy on green vehicles |
Intelligent Energy Europe programme's homepage, including database of supported projects | |
Information of the European Environmental Agency on sustainable transport | |
Mobility Portal of the European Union | |
Information on environmental friendly vehicles (eco scoring) | |
Environmental technology atlas covering Information on sustainable mobility, refuelling infrastructure, manufactures of biofuel and clean vehicle technology, etc. | |
Internet based finder of refuelling infrastructure for alternative fuels in Europe; part of Sustainable Green Fleet project webpage | |
EUROCITIES is the network of major European cities. We bring together the local governments of more than 140 large cities in over 30 European countries. | |
TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) is the online version of the 'Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union', dedicated to European public procurement including vehicles. | |
Toolkit for the implementation of joint procurement actions prepared within the EC funded LEAP project. | |
Overview of low emission zones (LEZ) in Europe |
Important European Union Documents on Clean Vehicles
Buying Green! - Handbook on green public procurement
Green Public procurement (GPP) Product Sheet - Transport
BUY SMART - Green Procurement for Smart Purchasing
Better Public Transport for Europe through Competitive Tendering - A Good Practice Guide
EEA Report No 1/2007; Transport and environment: on the way to a new common transport policy
Draft of a Common European procurement tender, Draft Document developed in the COMPRO Project
Final Recommendations on Joint Procurement, Guidline Developed in the COMPRO Project
Topten Cars and Vans Guidelines for Frontrunner Public Procurers
