The European Union's Commission has finally published its 'road map' for transport over the next 40 years.
The White Paper, entitled "Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area – Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system" focuses, amongst other aspects, on emmissions reduction, setting a number of ambitious targets.
The Commission sets out a number of key goals, including:
- Phasing out of conventionally-fuelled cars in cities (interim target of 50% reduction of ‘conventionally fuelled’ cars by 2030).
- 60% emissions reduction from overall transport
In order to achieve this, a number of targets have specific impact on the fuel and lubes sectors. Amongst the innovation ideas are an EU Strategic Transport Technology Plan (STTP) which will be presented later this year with a clean transport systems strategy being unveiled in 2012. ICT systems will be used produce "clean, safe and silent vehicles" for all modes of transport, including use of alternative fuels and "appropriate" standards for CO2 emissions which may include energy efficiency targets.
A "comprehensive alternative fuel strategy" is also set for publication later this year aimed at ending European dependency on oil imports. In addition, the Commission aims to reassess transport taxation, linking it to environmental performance, by 2016 along with a move towards "user pays" and "polluter pays" tax schemes.
In the maritime sector the Commission is looking for a 40% reduction in emissions from bunker fuels through improved vessel design, low-carbon fuels and other measures. The European body is also looking to collaborate with other international interest groups such as the International Maritime Organisation.