ACEA agreement
Encyclopedia
The ACEA agreement refers to a voluntary agreement between the European Automobile Manufacturers Association
(ACEA) and the European Commission
to limit the amount of carbon dioxide
(CO2) emitted by passenger cars sold in Europe. With 18 million cars sold each year, Europe is the last major car market in the world.
Signed in 1998, the agreement sought to achieve an average of 140 g/km of CO2 by 2008 for new passenger vehicles sold by the association's cars in Europe. This target represents a 25% reduction from the 1995 level of 186 g/km and is equivalent to a fuel economy
of 5,8 L/100 km or 5,25 L/100 km for petrol and diesel engines respectively. However, the average for the whole car market for 2008 was 153.7 g/km, so the target has not been achieved.
Besides the agreement with ACEA, the European Commission also closed agreements with the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association
(JAMA) and Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association
(KAMA). However, for the latter two the target date is 2009 instead of 2008 and as ACEA accounts for 86,4% of car sales in Europe, the impact of the latter two is much smaller.
The ultimate EU target to which these agreements are to contribute, is to reach an average CO2 emission (as measured according to Commission Directive 93/116/EC) of 130 g/km for all new passenger cars by 2015.
The European Commission announced in late 2006 that it is working on a proposal for legally binding measures and limits.
In February 2007, the Commission acknowledged the failure of the voluntary agreement. Following this, a proposal of regulation was introduced by the Commission on December 19, 2007.
-average CO2 emission targets from new cars sold in the European Union, to be reached collectively by the members of the association. CO2 is the only gas covered by the agreements, other greenhouse gas
emissions are currently not controlled (see carbon dioxide equivalent
). How the target is to be achieved is not specified, and are expected by the Commission to be mainly by technological developments and market changes linked to these developments.
Apart from the 140 g/km target, the ACEA should evaluate in 2003 the potential for additional improvements with a view to moving further towards the objective of emission targets:
Concerning costs, a report for the European Commission last year showed that the cost of meeting the target for new cars of 120 g/km of CO2 would be on average € 577 per car, which could be earned back in a few years time due to the improved fuel economy implied in the reductions.
has already reached the 2008 goal, 3 year in advance (achieving 139 g/km). Citroen
(144 g/km) and Renault
(149 g/km) are on track to meet the 140 g/km commitment in 2008. Ford (151 g/km) and Peugeot
(151 g/km) are almost on track. These brands were also relatively good performers in 1997 and yet still managed to reduce their CO2 emissions significantly.
(141.9 g/km) and Citroen (142.2 g/km) are still on track.
, Lancia
, Abarth
, Ferrari
and Maserati
brands) was the only group to reach the planned value, averaging 138.4 g/km. The average for the whole car market for 2008 is 153.7 g/km, so the target has not been achieved.
(137.5 g/km), Citroen (137.9 g/km) and Ford (140.0 g/km). Fiat, however, was the only brand to reach the 2015 goal of 130 g/km, 6 years in advance. The Fiat Auto Group (including the Fiat, Alfa Romeo
, Lancia
, Abarth
, Ferrari
and Maserati
brands) averaged to 131.0 g/km.
Some environmental groups insist on the need for a longer-term target that doubles fuel efficiency
of new cars over the next decade, 80 g/km of C02 by 2020.
European Automobile Manufacturers Association
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association is the main lobbying and standards group of the automobile industry in the European Union. It is the follow on organization to CCMC in 1996....
(ACEA) and the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
to limit the amount of carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
(CO2) emitted by passenger cars sold in Europe. With 18 million cars sold each year, Europe is the last major car market in the world.
Signed in 1998, the agreement sought to achieve an average of 140 g/km of CO2 by 2008 for new passenger vehicles sold by the association's cars in Europe. This target represents a 25% reduction from the 1995 level of 186 g/km and is equivalent to a fuel economy
Fuel economy in automobiles
Fuel usage in automobiles refers to the fuel efficiency relationship between distance traveled by an automobile and the amount of fuel consumed....
of 5,8 L/100 km or 5,25 L/100 km for petrol and diesel engines respectively. However, the average for the whole car market for 2008 was 153.7 g/km, so the target has not been achieved.
Besides the agreement with ACEA, the European Commission also closed agreements with the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association
Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association
Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, or JAMA, is a trade association with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. It was founded in April 1967 and serves as a platform for the automakers of Japan to share technological developments and management practices. There are currently 14 member...
(JAMA) and Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association
Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association
Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, or KAMA, is a South Korean automobile and motor vehicle association. KAMA is a non-profit organization, representaing the interests of automakers in Korea of which roles are as follows....
(KAMA). However, for the latter two the target date is 2009 instead of 2008 and as ACEA accounts for 86,4% of car sales in Europe, the impact of the latter two is much smaller.
The ultimate EU target to which these agreements are to contribute, is to reach an average CO2 emission (as measured according to Commission Directive 93/116/EC) of 130 g/km for all new passenger cars by 2015.
The European Commission announced in late 2006 that it is working on a proposal for legally binding measures and limits.
In February 2007, the Commission acknowledged the failure of the voluntary agreement. Following this, a proposal of regulation was introduced by the Commission on December 19, 2007.
Implementation
The agreement defines fleetFleet vehicles
Fleet vehicles are groups of motor vehicles owned or leased by a business or government agency, rather than by an individual or family. Typical examples are vehicles operated by car rental companies, taxicab companies, public utilities, public bus companies, and police departments...
-average CO2 emission targets from new cars sold in the European Union, to be reached collectively by the members of the association. CO2 is the only gas covered by the agreements, other greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
emissions are currently not controlled (see carbon dioxide equivalent
Carbon dioxide equivalent
Carbon dioxide equivalent and Equivalent carbon dioxide are two related but distinct measures for describing how much global warming a given type and amount of greenhouse gas may cause, using the functionally equivalent amount or concentration of carbon dioxide as the reference.- Global warming...
). How the target is to be achieved is not specified, and are expected by the Commission to be mainly by technological developments and market changes linked to these developments.
Apart from the 140 g/km target, the ACEA should evaluate in 2003 the potential for additional improvements with a view to moving further towards the objective of emission targets:
- In the range of 165-170 g/km CO2 in 2003.
- 140 g/km of CO2 by 2008.
- 130 g/km of CO2 by 2015.
Concerning costs, a report for the European Commission last year showed that the cost of meeting the target for new cars of 120 g/km of CO2 would be on average € 577 per car, which could be earned back in a few years time due to the improved fuel economy implied in the reductions.
Progress towards the target
2005 report
FiatFiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
has already reached the 2008 goal, 3 year in advance (achieving 139 g/km). Citroen
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
(144 g/km) and Renault
Renault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
(149 g/km) are on track to meet the 140 g/km commitment in 2008. Ford (151 g/km) and Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
(151 g/km) are almost on track. These brands were also relatively good performers in 1997 and yet still managed to reduce their CO2 emissions significantly.
2007 report
Only Fiat was able to reach the 2008 planned goal of 140 g/km, with a value of 137.3 g/km. PeugeotPeugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
(141.9 g/km) and Citroen (142.2 g/km) are still on track.
2008 report
Only two brands were able to reach the 2008 planned goal of 140 g/km: Fiat, with a value of 133.7 g/km and Peugeot, with 138.1 g/km. The Fiat Auto Group (including the Fiat, Alfa RomeoAlfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
, Lancia
Lancia
Lancia Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian automobile manufacturer founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia and which became part of the Fiat Group in 1969. The company has a long history of producing distinctive cars and also has a strong rally heritage. Some modern Lancias are seen as presenting a more...
, Abarth
Abarth
Abarth is an Italian racing car maker founded by Austrian-Italian Carlo Abarth and Italian Armando Scagliarini in Turin in 1949. Its logo depicts a stylized scorpion on a red and yellow background.- History :...
, Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
and Maserati
Maserati
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993...
brands) was the only group to reach the planned value, averaging 138.4 g/km. The average for the whole car market for 2008 is 153.7 g/km, so the target has not been achieved.
2009 report
More brands reached the (now expired) 2008 140 g/km goal: Fiat (127.8 g/km), Toyota (130.1 g/km), Peugeot (133.6 g/km), RenaultRenault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
(137.5 g/km), Citroen (137.9 g/km) and Ford (140.0 g/km). Fiat, however, was the only brand to reach the 2015 goal of 130 g/km, 6 years in advance. The Fiat Auto Group (including the Fiat, Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
, Lancia
Lancia
Lancia Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian automobile manufacturer founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia and which became part of the Fiat Group in 1969. The company has a long history of producing distinctive cars and also has a strong rally heritage. Some modern Lancias are seen as presenting a more...
, Abarth
Abarth
Abarth is an Italian racing car maker founded by Austrian-Italian Carlo Abarth and Italian Armando Scagliarini in Turin in 1949. Its logo depicts a stylized scorpion on a red and yellow background.- History :...
, Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
and Maserati
Maserati
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993...
brands) averaged to 131.0 g/km.
2010 report
For the fourth year running, Fiat Automobiles is the brand that has recorded the lowest level of CO2 emissions by vehicles sold in Europe in 2010 as certified by the company JATO Dynamics. Fiat posted a mean value of 123.1 g/km and it also ranked first as Group, with 125.9 g/km and an improvement of 5 g/km compared to last year.Longer-term target
The Commission will support research efforts towards reaching the European Road Transport Research Advisory Council (ERTRAC) research target of "Improvements in vehicle efficiency [that] will deliver as much as a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions for passenger cars for the new vehicle fleet in 2020". This would correspond to a new car fleet average of 95 g/km of CO2 (COM/2007/19).Some environmental groups insist on the need for a longer-term target that doubles fuel efficiency
Fuel efficiency
Fuel efficiency is a form of thermal efficiency, meaning the efficiency of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier fuel into kinetic energy or work. Overall fuel efficiency may vary per device, which in turn may vary per application, and this spectrum of variance is...
of new cars over the next decade, 80 g/km of C02 by 2020.
See also
- Biofuels directive
- Car taxationCar taxationCar taxation is an instrument to influence the purchase decisions of consumers. Taxes can be differentiated to support the market introduction of fuel efficient and low carbon dioxide emitting cars.- European Union :...
- Conventional car
- Emission standardEmission standardEmission standards are requirements that set specific limits to the amount of pollutants that can be released into the environment. Many emissions standards focus on regulating pollutants released by automobiles and other powered vehicles but they can also regulate emissions from industry, power...
- European Common Transport Policy
- Energy policy of the European UnionEnergy policy of the European UnionAlthough the European Union has legislated in the area of energy policy for many years, and evolved out of the European Coal and Steel Community, the concept of introducing a mandatory and comprehensive European energy policy was only approved at the meeting of the European Council on 27 October...
- European exhaust emission standardsEuropean emission standardsEuropean emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.Currently, emissions of...
- Fuel efficiencyFuel efficiencyFuel efficiency is a form of thermal efficiency, meaning the efficiency of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier fuel into kinetic energy or work. Overall fuel efficiency may vary per device, which in turn may vary per application, and this spectrum of variance is...
- Hybrid vehicleHybrid vehicleA hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
- Oil dependence
- ProactiveProActiveProActive is Java grid middleware for parallel, distributed, and multi-threaded computing. It is developed by the OW2 Consortium, including INRIA, CNRS, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, and ActiveEon...
and reactiveReactiveReactive may refer to:*Generally, capable of having a reaction*Reactance , the imaginary component of AC impedance*Reactive mind*Reactive programming... - Vehicle efficiency.
External links
- European Commission page on agreements with automotive industry
- Commission´s website with annual monitoring and progress reports of the agreements.
- Lack of Disclosure from European Automakers Threatens Investors (April 2005), World Resources Institute (WRI)
- The official ACEA - Commission Agreement itself: Commission Recommendation of 5 February 1999 on the reduction of CO2 emissions from passenger cars (notified under document number C(1999) 107), (1999/125/EC)
- How Clean is Your Car Brand? The car industry's commitment to the EU to reduce CO2 emissions: a brand-by-brand progress report. European Federation for Transport and Environment, October 2006
- EU to introduce legislation as car makers fail on emission targets AFP, 3 November 2006
- Dieselnet.com overview of the ACEA agreement from the pages of dieselnet.com
In the media
- Feb 07, 2007, BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
: EU car CO2 fight only beginning - Feb 07, 2007, European CommissionEuropean CommissionThe European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
: EU plans legislation to cut CO2 emissions from cars - Feb 06, 2007, International Herald TribuneInternational Herald TribuneThe International Herald Tribune is a widely read English language international newspaper. It combines the resources of its own correspondents with those of The New York Times and is printed at 38 sites throughout the world, for sale in more than 160 countries and territories...
: EU to compromise on auto emissions - Jan 31, 2007, Transport & Environment: Europe set to clean up fuels but stalls on cars
- Jan 31, 2007, European CommissionEuropean CommissionThe European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
: EU proposes stricter fuel standards to cut CO2 emissions - Jan 24, 2007, The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
: Grand plan for a low-carbon Europe goes up in smoke - Oct 19, 2004: European Environment AgencyEuropean Environment AgencyEuropean Environment Agency is an agency of the European Union. Its task is to provide sound, independent information on the environment. It is a major information source for those involved in developing, adopting, implementing and evaluating environmental policy, and also the general public...
: Poor European test standards understate air pollution from cars