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Hydrogen Europe published a new position paper on the revision of the carbon emission standards for cars and vans regulation, arguing that it should strengthen global leadership in zero-emission vehicles, particularly hydrogen fuel cell variants.
The group has referred to the regulation establishing carbon emission performance standards for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles as a key legislative initiative for the EU in its position paper.
This will be especially important in assisting the EU in meeting its 2030 climate targets.
The paper urges European institutes to maintain the level of targets set for 2025 while strengthening those set for 2030, provided that the enabling framework conditions are met and a holistic approach is taken.
Hydrogen Europe proposes that five distinct factors be considered in order to achieve this goal.
By strengthening the 2030 targets of 37.5 percent and 31 percent reductions for new cars and vans, more ambitious and appropriate carbon standards should be adopted.
As a result, Hydrogen Europe urges the European Commission to maintain the differentiated emission targets for LCVs and passenger cars while also recognizing a higher threshold for defining low emission vehicles.
Furthermore, an ambitious regulatory framework based on synergies is required to unlock hydrogen vehicle uptake, which can be achieved through a holistic view of infrastructure policy and demand, as well as supply-side measures that incentivize the rollout of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in a synergistic manner.
Hydrogen Europe advocates for the establishment of a conditionality principle to link hydrogen refueling station deployments to carbon emission reduction targets.
Another important factor is the need to precisely measure emissions and understand the role of low-carbon/renewable fuels.
The current legal framework, which is based on a tank-to-wheel (TTW) approach, has proven to be effective, according to Hydrogen Europe, and is unlikely to be changed by 2030.
Considering the well-to-wheel (WTW) approach to analyze total emissions, on the other hand, could be a useful tool for gaining a better understanding of carbon emissions within a sector.
The group would support the implementation of a voluntary crediting system as long as it imposes a requirement to invest in zero-emission vehicles.
Another important aspect of a revised regulation is system efficiency and technology neutrality as underlying principles, with the suggestion that overall system efficiency be considered.
The EU is said to require an import strategy in order to take advantage of the world’s best wind and solar locations.
Allocating excess emissions premiums to support re-skilling, up-skilling, and other skills training and reallocation of workers in the automotive sector is the final factor.
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