A European strategy on clean and energy efficient vehicles
The European automotive industry is a world leader in developing clean and energy efficient technologies based on combustion engines, consequence of substantial investment in the last 15 years in research and development. It is also a crucial European industry, competitive, innovative and supporting a wide range of related sectors. This Communication sets out a strategy for encouraging the development and uptake of clean and energy efficient ("green") heavy- (buses and trucks) and light-duty vehicles (cars and vans) as well as two- and three-wheelers and quadricycles. Currently, transport is responsible for about a quarter of EU CO2 emissions and also contributes significantly to reduced air quality (particulate matter, NOx, HC and CO) and related health problems, in particular in urban areas.