The
European Commission is set to propose a strategy on clean and fuel-efficient
cars by May, followed later by an action plan to help introduce green vehicles
to the market.
EU Industry
Commissioner Antonio Tajani met with ministers in charge of industry on Friday
(19 February) to discuss the economic challenges facing the European car
industry.
The ministers identified green
technologies as a strategic medium-term perspective for the industry to help it
recover from the crisis and improve its competitiveness.
"A European strategy on Clean
and Energy-Efficient Cars should be developed and implemented that sets out the
necessary actions to encourage market introduction of green vehicles, including
electric cars," the Commission said in a statement, issued after the
informal meeting.
The communication should be
published in time for a 25-26 May meeting of EU ministers in charge of
competitiveness. An action plan is expected to follow the initiative at a later
date.
Technology-neutrality
While electric cars have been much discussed, one diplomat told EurActiv
that the EU executive's communication would remain technology-neutral and
address all technologies, including hydrogen and biofuels.
The Commission's aim is to make
sure that, whatever the technology, EU member states coordinate their
initiatives and ensure smooth functioning of the internal market.
The communication and action plan
could thus trigger debate on European standards related to new technologies, as
well as on harmonised infrastructure.
While the diplomat did not want to
speculate on possible new funding for the initiative, he said the strategy
could be used to "re-channel" existing funding programmes for green
cars.
These include a €5 billion
Green Cars Initiative
launched in 2008 as part of the EU's economic recovery plan.
'CARS' 21 re-launch
The Commission said the
CARS 21
High Level Group would be re-launched to structure the discussions.
First launched in 2005, the group
brings togethercommissioners, ministers, MEPs, industry representatives
and trade unions to improve the regulatory framework for the car industry and
prepare it for future challenges.