Eco-Innovations
Eco-Innovations – More ideas for climate protection
Why?
We need eco-innovations to exploit all opportunities for reducing CO2 emissions. The EU proposal submitted so far only looks at engine and powertrain technology, a few complementary measures (energy efficient air-conditioning, gearshift indicators, low rolling resistance tyres, tyre pressure monitoring systems) and biofuels in order to achieve the EU overall target of 120g/km CO2.
There are good reasons for introducing demonstrably effective eco-innovations for CO2 reduction. These measures can be effective directly at the vehicle, through the driver, or in service.
We need eco-innovations because they...
... make a valuable contribution to climate protection,
... open up new potentials for innovations,
.. create new markets for environmental technologies,
... set incentives for technologies of the future,
... strengthen competitiveness,
... improve cost efficiency,
... secure jobs in Europe.
What?
Eco-innovations may be very simple measures, or they may comprise complex forward-looking technologies. Nevertheless, they all have in common that they have not been taken into consideration so far. Below are a few examples:
Example 1: Energy-efficient light
Light always means extra consumption. That is why efficient technologies have a great leverage here. Lights with light-emitting diodes (LED) are up to 20 times more efficient than using conventional lights. The regulations to date do not provide any incentives for bringing this technology onto the market quickly.
Example 2: Solar glass roof
Integrated solar cells in glass roofs can supply electrical loads in the vehicle with power even when the ignition is switched off. Modern, thinlayer solar cells make it possible to use the increasing glass surface areas on vehicles with a high degree of efficiency. However, the draft regulation does not envisage promotion of such technologies so far.
Example 3: Using "fallow" energy
The potential conversion of exhaust heat energy into useful energy helps to cut CO2 emissions. For instance, the thermal energy generated by the engine block can be converted into electric power. However, the draft regulation has so far not provided any incentives for applying such systems quickly.
Conversion of Heat Loss
How?
The European automotive industry calls on politicians to expand the basic idea of the draft regulation. We need an overall open-technology system oriented towards innovations and competition.
By opening up the draft regulation for eco-innovations, the legislator can contribute to developing innovative measures for climate protection and to launching them on the market.
If these measures are taken into account, it will be possible to reduce CO2 emissions in road traffic more efficiently. The legislator should take this into consideration.
This will promote innovations, strengthen the technology leadership of Europe‘s automotive industry and protect the climate.
More innovations for climate protection
The European Commission aims to achieve a distinct reduction in overall CO2 emissions – including the transport sector. We share this goal. However, the EU proposal presented does not tap the full potential of all possible CO2 reductions.
The EU Commission‘s proposal concentrates exclusively on measures that are reflected in the test-cycle measurements and a few complementary measures for CO2 reduction.
However, many more ideas for climate protection exist. If the EU Commission does not take these into account, then the market introduction and universal coverage of these innovations will be impeded. After all, only if these innovations are taken into account they will be worthwhile for manufacturers and drivers. And for the environment.
The automotive industry is campaigning for...
... the EU Regulation for eco-innovations to be opened up,
... the CO2 reduction potential of eco-innovations to be assessed fairly,
... CO2 credits to be allowed for eco-innovations,
... in order to develop more innovations for climate protection.
