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Tiefensee: Environmentally friendly vehicles and powertrain technologies for tomorrow's transport
International Conference of the German G8 Presidency in Dresden
"Combating climate change has long become a global challenge. If we want to manage the rapid growth in traffic levels we have to reach an agreement on effective measures at international level. Every country is called upon to make its contribution."
These were the words of Federal Minister of Transport Wolfgang Tiefensee, at the opening of an international conference on environmentally friendly vehicles in Dresden. Tiefensee emphasized in front of 300 participants from 20 nations:
"We want a transport system that does not compromise our environment or our quality or life. Efficient vehicles and powertrain technologies will help us get much closer to our goals. The Federal Government has argued for the introduction of an average CO 2 cap of 120 g/km for all newly registered passenger cars and vans in the EU, starting in 2012. This standard would be the world's most stringent, binding regulation for CO 2 emissions in transport. In addition, we are continuously working on the development of our "fuel strategy". We are promoting sustainable mobility with the help of emerging technologies like electromobility and the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Innovation Program."
Federal Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee hosted a two-day conference in Dresden within the framework of the German G8 presidency. The event focused on the following questions:
- What defines an environmentally friendly vehicle?
- Which alternative fuels have a promising future?
Vehicles with innovative powertrains are presented at an exhibition.
According to UN estimates, the total number of vehicles will double between 2000 and 2030, from 800 million to 1.6 billion. Today, 71 per cent of all transport in the EU alone is dependent on oil, and in the road transport sector this figure rises to around 97 per cent. The transport sector thus contributes considerably to the consumption of scarce energy resources and, what is more, it is responsible for 20 per cent of all CO 2 emissions.
"Only by establishing global standards and criteria, that are as uniform as possible, will we be able to bring about a short term shift on the market and accelerate the introduction of environmentally friendly vehicles", Minister Tiefensee said. "This conference proves that there is a will. It also illustrates that the industry has an enormous innovative capacity. I call upon researchers and businesses, to press ahead with their efforts for a climate friendly transport system."
