Page 15 - EurOil Annual Review 2021

EurOil JULY EurOil

The role that biofuels
can play in the energy
transition is hotly
contested.

sustainable fuels can be used in existing vehicles Commission in April to require manufacturers
and take advantage of existing logistical infra- to produce vehicles that emit zero grams of CO2
structure and refuelling facilities. per km by 2035, effectively meaning an end to
“A mere increase in the ambition of the vehi- the ICE.
cle CO2 standard is not the right answer,” the “Policies aimed at the untimely demise of ICE
association continued. “It requires instead mov- vehicles are likely to result in a significant share of
ing the focus away from just tailpipe emissions European consumers being left behind,” NGVA
towards a more holistic recognition of the cli- argued. “Millions of EU families and businesses,
mate contribution of the combination of energy especially in central, eastern and southern
and power-train technology.” European countries with typically older vehicle
NGVA went on to say it supported a volun- fleets, rely for work, leisure or personal life on
tary crediting mechanism for renewable sus- older, inexpensive and often second-hand vehi-
tainable fuels that ensured “technology open cles. Technology exclusions would substantially
regulation” that complemented the Fit for 55 aggravate job losses in the automotive sector and
legislation. hinder the employment transition in industry
“Such a regime would not just ensure that we more broadly.”
follow the most efficient and cost-effective path- The association also pointed to the poten-
ways towards climate neutrality; it would also tial job creation in the renewable fuels industry,
maintain a level of consumer choice and access arguing that “a more inclusive approach, valuing
to mobility for all European citizens that is essen- the contribution of all low-carbon technolo-
tial to our way of life,” it said. gies towards the climate ambition, is needed to
respect the consumers’ choice and their right to
A technology-neutral approach an affordable personal mobility.”
NGVA is not alone in its call for Brussels to be NGVA said it was willing to work with the
more open to other technologies other than EVs. EC to form a strategy for renewable sustainable
About 200 scientists sent a joint letter to the EC fuels, adjusting vehicle CO2 standards so that
in June, urging it to take a technology-neutral the focus is on decarbonising energy instead of
approach to decarbonising road transport. They “prescribing a top-down technology mandate.”
called for a “professional discussion” about how “Such an amendment can open the door to
vehicles running on gaseous and liquid fuels additional and more timely CO2 savings, to jobs,
could help the EU fulfil its climate goals. to investments, and to a way for many more vehi-
Beyond the emissions released during cle users to participate in using renewable ener-
their manufacture, EVs’ carbon footprint also gies, be they in gaseous, liquid or electric form,”
depends greatly on a given country’s energy it said.
mix. The vehicles are popular in Norway, where The debate over decarbonising road trans-
almost all power is renewable, but it could be port mirrors that discussion over how to reduce
counter-productive to power them in Poland, emissions from shipping. LNG is currently the
for example, which generates most of its power only clean alternative to oil-based fuels that has
by burning coal. proved commercially feasible, although that has
However, on the other side there are calls not stopped some like the World Bank calling for
for the EC to impose a de-facto ban on the sale countries and companies to steer clear of invest-
of new ICE vehicles. A group of 27 companies ments in LNG bunkering, arguing it will lock in
including Volvo, Vattenfall and Uber urged the gas use for many years to come. ™

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