The report looked at the societal impacts and consequences of light duty fleet electrification on access to passenger vehicles for EU citizens. The study compared the cost-of-ownership of similar battery electric vehicle (BEV) and internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) models in 16 EU Member States.
The research illustrates that by betting almost exclusively on electrification of the auto fleet as a decarbonisation solution -- the direction favored in the European Commission's "Fit for 55" package -- the EU risks greatly increasing the cost of vehicle ownership and thus potentially shutting out large sectors of the population.
The study found that BEVs reached price parity with ICEVs in many countries mostly due to advantageous subsidy schemes which create in return an increasing cost burden on governments. Still, with Europeans buying mainly second-hand car vehicles, the penetration of BEVs remained low. Without subsidies and without access to low-carbon electricity, the electric vehicle is the least favourable abatement option, saving less GHG emissions than alternative fuels and increasing the cost of ownership for drivers, the study notes.
In France, E85 is already the most cost-effective low-carbon mobility option, saving emissions at a lower cost of ownership compared to conventional petrol and electric cars. A subsidy system rewarding different options based on their full life-cycle GHG-reduction potential would level the playing field between low-carbon solutions to maintain choice and attractiveness for consumers.
The study concluded that higher volumes of renewable fuels will be needed in the road sector following the new higher targets set in the revision of RED II and the potential creation of a dedicated ETS for road transport. Renewable fuels are a complementary option to battery electric vehicles and can help drive faster decarbonisation of transport while benefiting the EU economy, industry and society, the report concludes. (Source: ePURE, Website 2 Feb., 2022)
Contact: ePURE, www.epure.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News ePURE news, Renewable Fuels news, Biofuel news,
The EC aims to double the biomethane production objective of the "Fit for 55" plan -- the EU plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 pct by 2030 -- which would lead to the creation of 35 billion cubic mpy of biomethane by 2030 (the current plan envisages 17 billion cubic mpy). To that end, the EC says that EU member states' CAP Strategic Plans should channel funding to biomethane production from biomass sources, including agricultural wastes and residues in particular.
The plan, called "REPowerEU" aims to diversify gas supplies; speed up the roll-out of renewable gases; and replace gas in heating and power generation, which, the EC says, can reduce EU demand for Russian gas by two-thirds before the end of the year.
(Source: EC. 14 Mar., 2022)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Biogas, Biomethane, RNG, European Union, Fit for 55 ,
According to the EBB, the demand for green liquid fuels in Europe was set to double by 2030 as the EU maritime, aviation and heavy-duty road transport industries pursue decarbonisation. FuelEU Maritime and the ReFuelEU Aviation mandates will require around 42 million tonnes of oil equivalent to meet the targets set out in the revised renewable energy directive.
Download the High-Level Position Paper on the Fit for 55 paper HERE
(Source: European Biodiesel Board, Website, Feb., 2022) Contact: European Biodiesel Board, Xavier Noyon, Sec. Gen, Xavier.noyon@ebb-eu.org, www.ebb-eu.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Biodiesel Board, Fit for 55, Biodiesel, Biofuel, SAF, Renewable Fuel,
The report looked at the societal impacts and consequences of light duty fleet electrification on access to passenger vehicles for EU citizens. The study compared the cost-of-ownership of similar battery electric vehicle (BEV) and internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV) models in 16 EU Member States.
The research illustrates that by betting almost exclusively on electrification of the auto fleet as a decarbonisation solution -- the direction favored in the European Commission's "Fit for 55" package -- the EU risks greatly increasing the cost of vehicle ownership and thus potentially shutting out large sectors of the population.
The study found that BEVs reached price parity with ICEVs in many countries mostly due to advantageous subsidy schemes which create in return an increasing cost burden on governments. Still, with Europeans buying mainly second-hand car vehicles, the penetration of BEVs remained low. Without subsidies and without access to low-carbon electricity, the electric vehicle is the least favourable abatement option, saving less GHG emissions than alternative fuels and increasing the cost of ownership for drivers, the study notes.
In France, E85 is already the most cost-effective low-carbon mobility option, saving emissions at a lower cost of ownership compared to conventional petrol and electric cars. A subsidy system rewarding different options based on their full life-cycle GHG-reduction potential would level the playing field between low-carbon solutions to maintain choice and attractiveness for consumers.
The study concluded that higher volumes of renewable fuels will be needed in the road sector following the new higher targets set in the revision of RED II and the potential creation of a dedicated ETS for road transport.
Renewable fuels are a complementary option to battery electric vehicles and can help drive faster decarbonisation of transport while benefiting the EU economy, industry and society, the report concludes. (Source: ePURE, Website 2 Feb., 2022) Contact: ePURE , www.epure.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Fit for 55, PURE, Ethanol, Carbon Emissions, Decarbonization, EU ETS,
Build a high-level and interdisciplinary network of innovators, investors, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders from the rapidly growing renewable hydrogen community, including industrial off-takers;
As recently reported, the European Commission's "Fit for 55" package sets clear targets for the rapid scale-up and use of renewable hydrogen and to make Europe the global leader in renewable hydrogen.
(Source: Renewable Hydrogen Coalition, Website, PR. Sept., Oct., 2021) Contact: Renewable Hydrogen Coalition, www.renewableh2.eu
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"For the EU biofuels industry, the new proposals -- including major changes to policies on renewable energy, alternative fuels infrastructure, the Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and energy taxation, as well as a de facto deadline for the end of the internal combustion engine -- promise a potentially bumpy road ahead as the implications become clear to policymakers as they fine-tune this legislation in the coming months: unleashing the true potential of crop-based ethanol and creating a policy environment that can spark investment in advanced ethanol are must-have components of any realistic roadmap to carbon-neutrality.
"Transport Decarbonisation -- As usual, the signals from the Commission about whether biofuels can play a major role in transport decarbonisation are mixed. On the one hand, the Fit for 55 package sets important new goals for emissions reduction and creates a solid foundation for reaching them by giving a role to renewable liquid fuels in decarbonising transport. On the other, the Commission still hesitates to make the best use of emissions-reduction tools it has today, including biofuels -- even when targets have been raised to such a degree that their contribution is essential.
"Fully enabling biofuels in the drive to carbon-neutrality is just common sense. Even under a scenario in which electric vehicles make rapid gains in market share and the sale of internal combustion engines is phased out, the EU car fleet will consist predominantly of vehicles that run fully or partly on liquid fuel in 2030 and beyond. For these petrol and hybrid cars, renewable ethanol is the most cost-effective and socially inclusive way to reduce emissions. Europe cannot afford to ignore this View on transport decarbonization are mixed important part of the equation.
"Sustainability Issues -- With the main components of the Fit for 55 package, the Commission should fully maximize the tools it has on hand for decarbonisation -- especially the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). This is the third time since 2009 the Commission has tried to get RED right. With Fit for 55, the Commission finally realizes that to succeed it needs to focus on higher GHG intensity reduction targets that drive renewable energy in transport, without multipliers that hide the EU's continued reliance on fossil fuels.
Now that sustainability issues have been settled, the EU should unleash the potential of crop-based biofuels and encourage the wider deployment of advanced biofuels. The main questions about the sustainability of biofuels were settled after RED II was adopted in 2018 by phasing out high ILUC-risk biofuels.
"We know that deforestation and outdated 'food vs fuel' arguments do not apply to EU renewable ethanol. So with this revision we should be taking the next logical step and unleashing the potential of good biofuels. Other Fit for 55 components should work in concert to promote solutions that make a realistic impact on decarbonisation.
"The CO2 for Cars Standards should include more than just one technology and recognize the benefits of renewable fuels such as ethanol to reduce the carbon-footprint of cars on the road. The Energy Taxation Directive should incentivize renewable fuels, moving away from volume-based taxation and a parallel Emissions Trading System for transport should complement, not replace, binding national targets for emissions reductions in the Effort Sharing Regulation, and avoid increased fuel prices and social discontent.
"As the European Parliament and EU Member States go to work on this legislative package from the Commission in the coming months, it will be interesting to see whether Fit for 55 can be made fit for purpose." (Source: ePURE, Sept., 2021)
Editor's note -- ePURE, the European renewable ethanol association reports its members produced 5.57 billion litres (1.45 billion gallon +-) of ethanol and 6.16 million tonnes of co-products in 2020, with a significant increase in production of ethanol for industrial use. ePURE represents 35 members,including 19 ethanol producers with around 50 plants across the EU and UK, accounting for about 85 pct of EU renewable ethanol production. Contact: ePURE, Emmanuel Desplechin, Secretary General, www.epure.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News Fit for 55, ePURE, Ethanol, Carbon Emissions, Decarbonization, EU ETS,
"As a whole, the Fit for 55 package seems to provide the tools to combat the climate crisis during this decade by raising the ambition level of emission cuts across different sectors of the economy. It will support the growth of renewable fuels markets in both road and aviation segments. The Commission's proposal to establish an EU-wide obligation to supply a growing minimum share of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) as of 2025 will create a large market and progressively cut down emissions from flying. The package also supports Neste's climate commitments, including to reach carbon neutral production by 2035. Now that the EC's proposals will enter the legislative process, it will be important to further raise the level of ambition and keep the focus on emission cuts by various solutions, not only by specific technologies," notes Neste VP for Public Affairs, Ilkka Rasanen.
"Neste firmly believes that all solutions are needed in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the societies. On European roads, the number of electric cars is growing at a rapid pace, which is a logical and welcome development as the power generation sector is embracing emission free technologies. However, achieving the ambitious climate targets requires both EVs and renewable transport fuels, as internal combustion engine vehicles will keep playing a key role for a long time, particularly in heavy-duty vehicles. The average age of cars in Europe is more than 10 years; this means that many new vehicles sold today will still be in use for another 15-20 years. When it comes to especially heavy-duty vehicles, internal combustion engines and renewable fuels, both biofuels and so-called e-fuels (Power-to-X), will be needed for a long time. After all, the combustion engine is not the problem when the fuel is renewable and sustainably produced. Already today, customers using the Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ made from 100 pct renewable raw materials can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 pct compared to fossil diesel.
"The aviation industry has already taken steps in the right direction by committing to the target of achieving carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onwards. Neste, as the world's leading producer of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), is committed to helping the aviation industry meet the proposed EU-wide obligation.
"Following its sustainable sourcing principles, Neste continues to develop the availability of emerging, lower-quality waste and residue raw materials, as well as agricultural and forest harvesting residues, algae and municipal solid waste as future raw materials. Neste is also exploring Power-to-X technologies as a new renewable fuel." (Source: Neste, PR, Website 16 July, 2021)Contact: Neste, Ilkka Rasanen, Vice President, Public Affairs, +358 50 458 5123, www.neste.com
More Low-Carbon Energy News Neste, Biofuel, Fit for 55,
To achieve aviation decarbonisation IATA pledges to promote the use of SAF which reduce emissions by up to 80 pct compared to traditional jet fuel. IATA noted insufficient supply and high prices have limited airline uptake to only 120 million litres in 2021.
(Source: IATA, PR, 20 July, 2021) Contact: IATA, Willie Walsh, Dir. Gen. www.iata.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News SAF, Aviation Biofuel, IATA,
To complement the substantial spending on climate in the EU budget, Member States should spend the entirety of their emissions trading revenues on climate and energy-related projects. A dedicated part of the revenues from the new system for road transport and buildings should address the possible social impact on vulnerable households, micro-enterprises and transport users.
European Green Deal, www.ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en. (Source: EC, PR, 14 July, 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Green Deal,
The EU Forest Strategy supports the forest-based bioeconomy while keeping harvesting and biomass use sustainable, preserving biodiversity, and setting out a plan to plant three billion trees across Europe by 2030. To meet both our climate and environmental goals, sustainability criteria for the use of bioenergy are strengthened and EU Member States must design any support schemes for bioenergy in a way that respects the cascading principle of uses for woody biomass.
The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation ReFuelEU Aviation Initiative will oblige fuel suppliers to blend increasing levels of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in jet fuel taken on-board at EU airports, including synthetic low carbon fuels. Similarly, the FuelEU Maritime Initiative will stimulate the uptake of sustainable maritime fuels and zero-emission technologies by setting a maximum limit on the greenhouse gas content of energy used by ships calling at European ports.
European Green Deal, www.ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en. (Source: EC, PR, 14 July, 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Fit for 55, Bioeconomy, European Green Deal, SAF, Biofuel, Biomass, GHG,
To reduce overall energy use, cut emissions and tackle energy poverty, the Energy Efficiency Directive will set a more ambitious binding annual target for reducing energy use and will guide how national contributions are established and almost double the annual energy saving obligation for Member States. The public sector will be required to renovate 3 pct of its buildings each year to drive the renovation wave, bring down energy use and costs.
European Green Deal, www.ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en. (Source: EC, PR, 14 July, 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News European Green Deal, Energy Consumption, Energy Management, Energy Efficiency, GHG,
With the proposals, the Commission is presenting the legislative tools to deliver on the targets agreed in the European Climate Law and fundamentally transform the EU economy and society for a fair, green and prosperous future.
Energy production and use accounts for 75 pct of EU emissions, so accelerating the transition to a greener energy system is crucial. The Renewable Energy Directive will set an increased target to produce 40 pct of EU energy from renewable sources by 2030. All EU Member States will contribute to this goal, and specific targets are proposed for renewable energy use in transport, heating and cooling, buildings and industry.
European Green Deal, www.ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en. (Source: EC, PR, 14 July, 2021)
More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy, European Green Deal,
According to the ePURE release, the record-breaking figure strengthens the already-convincing case for renewable ethanol as one of the best available tools the EU has for decarbonising road transport. With the European Commission's imminent "Fit for 55" legislative package expected to increase targets for emissions reduction and for renewable energy in transport, it is clear the EU will need to make the most of readily available low-carbon solutions such as ethanol.
The record-high GHG-saving performance of ePURE members' ethanol was also accompanied by significant production of animal feed (4.22 million tonnes) and of captured CO2 (0.87 million tonnes). The 2020 findings were compiled from ePURE members and certified by auditing firm Copartner.
ePURE's membership includes 19 producing companies with around 50 refineries across the EU and UK, accounting for about 85 pct of EU renewable ethanol production. (Source: ePURE, PR, Website, 23 June, 2021) Contact: ePURE, Emmanuel Desplechin, Secretary General, www.epure.org
More Low-Carbon Energy News ePURE, Ethanol, Biofuel,