Clean Vehicles Directive

23.6.2017

Question for written answer E-004187-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Louis Michel (ALDE)

In order to decrease greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions and meet the EU’s emissions targets, the EU proposes deploying clean vehicles faster. It is well known that electric vehicles promise substantial overall improvements concerning global warming relative to comparable internal combustion engine vehicles.

The Clean Vehicles Directive requires public bodies to take into account the lifetime energy and environmental impacts when purchasing road transportation vehicles. Several studies have questioned the beneficial properties of electric vehicles, namely no GHG emissions. One study claims that electric vehicles produce the same level of particulate emissions as petrol and diesel cars because they are heavier and therefore kick up more dust and wear down their tyres more quickly. In addition, electric cars require energy which may originate from fossil fuels or nuclear power. Following this line of argument, it could be counterproductive to promote electric vehicles in regions where electricity is produced from oil, coal or lignite combustion.

In view of the revision of Directive 2209/33/EC:

What does the Commission propose to do as regards the theories that question the beneficial properties of clean vehicles and therefore the promise of Directive 2009/33/EC?