The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) issued a statement saying it welcomes the European Commission’s “European Strategy for Low-Emission Mobility,” which was issued on July 20. CLEPA stated that it believes this to be a strategy that can both tackle climate change and safeguard Europe’s position as a world leader in the global automotive industry.
“As CLEPA members are already developing a wide range of technologies to support the transition to a low-emission future, technological neutrality must remain a key principle. This will ensure that innovation will be widely spread across all promising CO2 paths, both the internal combustion engine (ICE) and alternative powertrains including, but not limited to, electrification,” said CLEPA President Roberto Vavassori.
Building on what the association described as “the significant record of achievement in recent years,” CLEPA says it will work with policymakers to set realistically challenging targets for the next decade as put forward in the strategy. In this timeframe, the market introduction of highly-efficient powertrains that is already in place will accelerate as well, the association says.
In order to reduce Europe’s dependency on fossil fuels and to cut transport-related emissions, European automotive suppliers continue to develop and adapt powertrains to encompass alternatives, including liquid petroleum gas, natural compressed and liquid gas, compressed or liquefied hydrogen and bio-fuels for all vehicle categories.
Furthermore, ICE, in conjunction with progressively increasing levels of electrification, will continue to be fitted to the majority of new vehicles. Therefore, technological advances to improve ICE efficiency must be maintained as well as electrification in its various forms (mild, full, plug in hybrid, full-battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric). At the same time, efforts to realize the potential for ICE powered cars with alternative (regenerative) fuels needs to be intensified.
Regarding post-2020 standards, CLEPA says it supports the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) introduction as a more realistic and robust test procedure for cars and vans. Automotive suppliers have stressed the fact that the conversion from New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) must not change the ambition level or undermine the 2020 compliance.
European automotive suppliers fully support the transition to low-emission mobility and as a result, CLEPA says it has reaffirmed its continued commitment to work with relevant industry partners and policymakers to achieve this goal.
