Page 46 - European Energy Innovation - Autumn 2016 publication
P. 46
46 Autumn 2016 European Energy Innovation
TRANSPORT DECARBONISATION
The way forward for reducing
CO2 emissions from cars¹
By Arno Behrens, Head of Energy, CEPS
The transport sector accounts A TECHNOLOGY NEUTRAL POLICY around for a long time but have not
for around one-quarter of FRAMEWORK managed to penetrate the European
EU greenhouse gas (GHG) There are various technological options market without tax breaks. In light of
emissions. Cars and vans to reduce GHG emissions from cars. the long-term reduction targets, natural
alone contribute about 15% of total In the short term, progress can still be gas can only be a transition fuel, unless
EU CO2 emissions. Given its increasing made through improving the efficiency it is produced carbon free, e.g. by
importance in EU GHG emissions, the of the internal combustion engine, substitute natural gas produced from a
transport sector will play a significant hybridisation, advanced biofuels, power-to-gas (P2G) process.
role in the EU’s efforts to decarbonise weight reduction, reduced resistance
its economy in line with its international (surface and air), and intelligent In the longer run, i.e. beyond 2030,
commitments. transport systems, including eco- hydrogen fuel cells vehicles could
routing and ecodriving. become an option.
Currently, transport is not covered
by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme In the medium to long-term, hybrid, Reductions will also occur through a
(EU ETS), although some elements plug-in hybrid and electric cars could better transport system and alternative
of transport activities are partially allow for steeper emissions reductions. mobile solutions. Existing ones are
covered by the ETS; namely EU Current barriers to the deployment of rapid transit systems, cycling and
aviation, and rail via the power sector electric vehicles are cost, low range, walking, urban planning, ICT, efficient
or refining of fuels. In the course of and lack of infrastructure and consumer comodality, green logistics or by
2016, the European Commission acceptance. A key element will be the getting the transport prices right.
will publish a Communication on the development costs of batteries, but There might be new potential in the
decarbonisation of transport, which there is evidence that these costs have digitalisation of transport and energy,
will be followed by specific legislation. been falling rapidly. e.g. by the sharing economy of
This Communication will indicate how connected cars.
the transport sector will contribute Another medium-term option is
to achieving the 30% CO2 emissions biofuels with a positive effect on GHG It is very unlikely that there will be one
reduction objective set for non-ETS emissions, such as advanced bio-fuels. single winning technology, not even in
sectors until 2030 (compared to Biofuels may be an option for aviation the long term. The decarbonisation of
2005). The European Commission has and road haulage, as not all heavy different modes such as passenger or
indicated that the Communication duty vehicles are expected to fully freight, but also of urban and long-
will focus on three elements: (i) run on electricity, at least in the short distance transport, will likely rely on a
improvements in the efficiency of term. A major issue is scale and most variety of technologies and fuels. This
vehicles, including through emissions studies put the potential contribution will mean that the policy framework
standards for cars and vans and the of biofuels far below 10% of EU fuels will need to be technology-neutral,
review of the test cycles; (ii) better demand. yet reward low-carbon solutions. It will
management of road transport activity, also require flexibility to support all
including modal shift, charging systems Another option could be natural gas low-carbon solutions while accounting
and intelligent transport systems; and vehicles, which constitute an option for technological change. Policy should
(iii) decarbonisation of fuels, including for heavy duty vehicles. Passenger also account for societal co-benefits
electrification and alternative fuels. cars fuelled by natural gas have been of technologies, such as reduction of
www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu
