AECC key messages on ‘Fit for 55’

AECC is fully committed to the climate objectives of the EU aiming to have zero-emission transport by 2050, as laid out in the European Green Deal.

The EU zero-emissions transport objectives can best be achieved by the contribution of all available powertrain technologies, hybrid ICE, BEV, FCEV, etc.

Clean and efficient hybrid vehicles with modern emission controls will continue to be an important part of the powertrain mix.

Emission control technologies fully operating in combination with drop-in sustainable renewable fuels enable ultra-low pollutant emissions contributing towards net-zero CO2 emissions.

GHG accumulation is to be minimised to stay within the limited available GHG budget of the Paris Agreement. Existing road transport fleet should contribute to achieve the GHG reduction by using drop-in sustainable renewable fuels.

Sustainable renewable fuels with drop-in capabilities can use existing infrastructure and consequently avoid initial carbon investment emissions. This will preserve accessible and affordable mobility options for all.

The target of sustainable renewable fuels is currently not aligned with the overall European Green Deal ambition. Higher targets which take account of the contribution of hybrids using sustainable renewable fuels are needed.

Sustainable renewable fuels should be integrated as an additional path within the Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) definition. It is the use of fossil fuels that should be banned, rather than the use of internal combustion engines.

AECC has recently completed three demonstration programmes showing how emission control technologies achieve ultra-low pollutant emissions. These demonstrators have been tested with drop-in sustainable renewable fuels and substantial reduction in CO2 emissions have been achieved in an objective
Well-to-Wheel assessment.  Selected material on the demo programmes can be found here: light-duty diesel, light-duty gasoline and heavy-duty diesel.

You can find more about each vehicle demonstration programme by accessing

Light-duty diesel

Light-duty gasoline

Heavy-duty diesel

You can find the sustainable renewable fuels testing on the light-duty diesel demo vehicle results here.

AECC has also published comments to the public consultation on CO2 emissions for cars and vans, as well as on the Renewable Energy Directive.

State-of-play of the CO2 dossiers

CO2 emission standards

The CO2 emission standards for cars and vans follows the ordinary legislative procedure under the Lisbon Treaty. Following its publication on 14 July 2021, the proposal was sent to the European Parliament and the Council for examination.

Renewable Energy Directive

The proposal follows the ordinary legislative procedure under the Lisbon Treaty. Following its publication on 14 July 2021, the proposal was sent to the European Parliament and the Council for examination. Rule 57 (“Associated Committee”) of the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure applies to this proposal. Under Rule 57, the European Parliament’s ITRE Committee (Lead) and ENVI Committee (Associated) work in close cooperation.

On both dossiers, once both the European Parliament’s Committee and the Council have finalised their position on the proposals, informal negotiations with the aim of reaching a first reading agreement on the proposal are expected to begin.