Downsizing van engines could cut van CO2 emissions by 16% - report
Tue 22 June 2010
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A new report by CE Delft and TNO says that downsizing van engines to their 1997 power levels could cut their CO2 emissions by up to 16%. For comparison, the EC's proposals for a 175g/km limit represent a 14% cut.
The study,was released ahead of two votes in the European Parliament's industry and transport committees. The committees will adopt opinions on the Commission's proposal to cut van emissions.
According to Brussels-based green group T&E, reported by ENDS, the study's findings show the EU impact assessment "completely ignored" the potential of using smaller engines and is "far too pessimistic" about how far fuel consumption can be cut. This has led to a political debate wrongly centred on the costs of advanced technologies needed to meet the proposed 175g/km limit for 2016.
The study also shows that using smaller, less powerful engines could cut van purchase costs by up to 10% and total ownership costs by up to 12%. T&E says that vans do not need the enhanced power of today's engines because the maximum weight they are allowed to carry has not changed since 1997, nor have speed limits. More powerful engines are an irrational consequence of light commercial vehicle manufacturers following the car market, the group suggests.
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