The big talking point at the 2014 IAA Commercial Vehicles show is the united front presented by the European truck industry over greenhouse gas (GHG) and CO2 emissions.
European and North American truck manufacturers are preparing for new emissions regulations – and regulators have made it clear that new regulations are coming. Senior executives at the truck OEMs have hinted to us in varying degrees of certainty that some form of recognition, if not harmonisation, of CO2 and GHG emissions is not only highly desirable, but in their view highly likely, and it’s a theme that has been supported by the various industry bodies that represent those OEMs.
An oft raised concern associated with trans-regional regulations is the risk of appealing to the lowest common denominator, and the associated race to the bottom. As far as the OEMs are concerned, there’s no chance of this happening
An oft raised concern associated with trans-regional regulations is the risk of appealing to the lowest common denominator, and the associated race to the bottom. As far as the OEMs are concerned, there’s no chance of this happening. CO2 and GHG are global problems – why not, they ask, have global solutions? And while talks surrounding issues such as TTIP arouse a wide range of emotions across society, for those companies operating globally, they make perfect sense.
“TTIP is vital,” says Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Executive of Daimler Trucks and Buses, in an exclusive Automotive World interview. Europe and North America, he says, “need to agree to accept each other’s emission standards.”
Bernhard, who is also Chairman of ACEA’s Commercial Vehicle Board, spoke at the ACEA press conference at the opening of the 2014 IAA in which the OEMs spoke as one to emphasise that the future can be a cleaner, more competitive one for the region if collaborative efforts among various industry players are stepped up.
The European truck industry’s collective vision echoes the collaborative effort between industry and regulators that led to the USA’s first ever GHG and fuel economy standard for M/HD trucks
Pursuing the same theme, Matthias Wissman of Germany’s VDA told us in another Automotive World exclusive that, “I am not arguing for starting with the 100% harmonisation of environmental standards. I would say, start with accepting the rules of the other side of the Atlantic.”
The European truck industry’s surprise and welcome collective vision echoes the collaborative effort between industry and regulators that led to the USA’s first ever greenhouse gas (GHG) standard and improvements in fuel economy for medium and heavy-duty trucks, which the Obama Administration passed in August 2011. The OEMs appeared to squander the opportunity to see their views on the magnitude of Euro VI included in that regulation. This time, they look to be preparing for full involvement in the creation of future legislation.
Martin Kahl is Editor, Automotive World.
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