Brussels -
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 ( href=”http://www.euractiv.com/climate-environment/ministers-ignite-debate-eu-strategy-electric-cars”>
EurActiv 08/02/10).

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 href=”http://ec.europa.eu/research/industrial_technologies/lists/green-cars_en.html”
target=”_blank”>Green Cars Initiative launched in 2008 as part
of the EU’s economic recovery plan.

‘CARS’ 21 re-launch

The Commission said the href=”http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/automotive/competitiveness-cars21/cars21/index_en.htm”
target=”_blank”>CARS 21 High Level Group would be re-launched
to structure the discussions. First launched in 2005, the group
brings together commissioners, ministers, MEPs, industry
representatives and trade unions to improve the regulatory
framework for the car industry and prepare it for future
challenges.

Amid the economic slowdown, European automobile manufacturers
have been calling on the European Commission to follow in the
footsteps of the US and provide them with billions of euro in
low-cost loans to help them develop environmentally-friendly
vehicles as global car sales fall.