EC urged to consider role for alternative fuels in future transport policy

The European Commission is being urged to consider the role that alternative fuels such as biofuels and LPG can play in developing a low carbon transport policy for the future and helping the transition from carbon to electric power. The call comes from a broad coalition of vehicle manufacturers and alternative-fuel producers and suppliers.

The call comes from a broad coalition of vehicle manufacturers and alternative-fuel producers and suppliers who, in a new joint declaration, urge the EC to take a technology-neutral approach in its upcoming review of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive.

The coalition includes ACEA (the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association), Liquid Gas Europe, ePURE (the European renewable ethanol association), EBB (the European Biodiesel Board) and UPEI (representing European independent fuel suppliers).

They point out that air pollution continues to be a major public health concern and that many European countries are missing their air quality targets. They argue that long-term energy transition goals depend not just on developing new technologies but also on alternative-fuel solutions that already reduce harmful emissions.

As the EU reframes important environment and energy legislation under the European Green Deal, it should not abandon clean, proven and cost-effective solutions such as sustainable renewable fuels and LPG, says the coalition.

The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive is intended to develop the market for alternative fuels covered in that Directive, such as LPG and biofuels, which have already reached a certain degree of maturity, and to jump-start a market for newcomers, such as electromobility and hydrogen.

However, alternative-fuelled cars currently represent only 7.3% of new car registrations and 3.8% of the vehicles in use in 2018, and the share for heavy-duty vehicles is even lower. Achieving a truly sustainable, low-carbon road-transport system will require all available solutions; a technology-neutral approach is critical, says the coalition.

The coalition also points out that sustainable renewable fuels, such as biofuels, offer immediate climate and air quality benefits and do not require drastic and costly changes to infrastructures or powertrain technologies.

The lack of progress in the EU’s transport decarbonisation requires immediate action, it says. Promoting solutions that will become affordable and fit for mass-market only in the long-term would mean giving up on important short and medium-term benefits, and would undermine the growing interest of consumers and transport operators for multiple low-carbon alternatives.

If a sufficient range of affordable alternative solutions are not consistently supported across the EU, motorists and transport operators are likely to keep their older, less fuel-efficient and potentially more polluting vehicles, says the coalition.

For passenger cars, LPG has significant environmental advantages. Compared to petrol vehicles, LPG vehicles can emit up to 20% less CO2 and 90% less particulates. Compared to diesel, they can emit up to 98% less NOx and 81% less particulates under real driving emissions.

European fuel ethanol emits on average 71% less greenhouse gas emissions than fossil petrol. It can be blended by up to 10% in petrol (E10) and has been compatible for use in all new cars produced for many years now. There is no reason why E10 cannot be more widely distributed throughout the EU, says the coalition.

The use of biodiesel in passenger cars, as well as commercial applications such as long-haul trucking or buses and coaches, can result in significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions at around 50% to 90% less than conventional diesel.

LPG is the most widely used alternative fuel for passenger cars in Europe, accounting for 8m vehicles or 2.3% of  the existing fleet, and serviced by over 31,000 refuelling stations.

In the longer term, LPG is well positioned to continue delivering benefits in light of the EU 2050 decarbonisation agendas as ‘BioLPG’ is now being distributed in growing quantities on the European market. This novel product can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90%, compared to conventional LPG.

In a statement the coalition said: “Alternative fuels will have an important role in displacing existing demand for fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants until zero-tailpipe emission vehicles can be deployed at scale.

“To ensure that the market for all alternative fuels in Europe flourishes and to maximise their environmental contribution, we urge European decision-makers to look both at short and medium-long term.

“Supply and demand-side measures should go hand-in-hand to allow for the sufficient development of refuelling infrastructure in line with consumer demand, and enhancing an environmental, economical and socially acceptable transition.

“Renouncing technology neutrality in the policies for alternative fuels would put at risk ongoing and future investments made by the automotive, energy production and fuel distribution sectors.

“For these reasons, the signatories to this declaration urge that continued support for all alternative fuels in transport is fundamental, as it will more quickly put Europe on track for reaching its climate and air quality goals.”

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