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ELECTRIC VEHICLES

EV INCENTIVES FOR GERMANY New measures to get the country driving electric EVENT REVIEW

IAA COMMERCIAL VEHICLES Hanover hosts the debate on green freight issues and unveils the latest eco trucks, vans and buses

IN THE NEWS: EU SETS CARBON REDUCTION TARGET OF 40 PER CENT BY 2030

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Bienvenue • Willkommen • Benvenuti Welkom • Velkommen • Tervetuloa Üdvözlet • Witam Ci • Bem-vindo Bienvenidos • Välkommen

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Dear Readers ELECTRIC VEHICLES

EV INCENTIVES FOR GERMANY New measures to get the country driving electric EVENT REVIEW

IAA COMMERCIAL VEHICLES Hanover hosts the debate on green freight issues and unveils the latest eco trucks, vans and buses

How to lower the carbon footprint of road freight transport operations was the topic of a joint debate organised at this year’s IAA Commercial Vehicles event in Hanover, Germany.

IN THE NEWS: EU SETS CARBON REDUCTION TARGET OF 40 PER CENT BY 2030

The recently published strategy from the European Commission for reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from heavy duty vehicles fuelled the discussion, with industry speakers acknowledging the progress made so far, future plans and debating the barriers to success.

The show also featured 322 world premieres, including many trucks, vans and buses that are run on alternative fuels, with electricity and hybrid

vehicles playing a significant part.

Read the full review on page 21.

Elsewhere in the magazine, we examine the German government’s recent package of support for electric vehicle drivers on page 10, and we find out which European cities are embracing low emission buses on page 13.

Angela Pisanu, editor

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P ONLINE P IN PRINT P MOBILE P FACE-TO-FACE If you would like to receive 6 issues of GreenFleet Europe magazine for €145 a year, please contact Public Sector Information Limited, 226 High Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055

www.greenfleeteurope.com PUBLISHED BY PUBLIC SECTOR INFORMATION LIMITED

226 High Rd, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055 Fax: 020 8532 0066 Web: www.psi-media.co.uk EDITOR Angela Pisanu EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Arthur Walsh EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Danny Wright PRODUCTION EDITOR Richard Gooding PRODUCTION CONTROL Jacqueline Lawford, Jo Golding WEB PRODUCTION Reiss Malone PUBLISHER Martin Freedman ACCOUNT MANAGER Kylie Glover ADMINISTRATION Victoria Leftwich REPRODUCTION & PRINT Argent Media

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CONTENTS

Contents GreenFleet Europe 2.5 07 News

EU sets carbon reduction target of 40 per cent by 2030; EU drops charging point targets; German EV sales double

10 Electric vehicles 09

GreenFleet Europe reports on the ‘Elektromobilitätsgesetz’ law in Germany which gives drivers of electric and plug-in hybrids a package of perks

13 Low-emission buses

What will the city buses of the near future operate on? A panel of experts from the CIVITAS initiative tackled these questions with their latest policy note

16 Paris motor show

GreenFleet Europe reports on the latest electric, hybrid and conventionally-fuelled vehicles from the recent Paris motor show where a total of 80 cars had their world premiere

21 IAA Commercial Vehicles

With 2,066 exhibitors from 45 countries and 322 world premieres, the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Germany, confirmed its position as the world’s most important trade fair for mobility, transport and logistics

10 13

16

21 GreenFleet Europe magazine

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Challenges Solutions Progress Mobility has to keep moving – to keep pace with changing times. In light of issues ranging from climate change and a decline in natural resources to traffic jams in urban areas, we all need to go back to the drawing board and find new mobility options that are not only efficient, but also sustainable. The AlphaCity Corporate CarSharing concept and the AlphaElectric eMobility solution were just the first steps in Alphabet’s long-term strategy. Experience the future of flexible fleet management now.

Business Mobility. Tailor-made for you at www.alphabet.com

NEWS

EMISSIONS

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

EU sets carbon reduction target of 40 per cent by 2030

Tesla plans all‑wheel drive Model S

European leaders have agreed to a binding pact that requires all EU nations to reduce greenhouse emissions to at least 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030. This deal, which was struck at a summit in Brussels, aims to combat climate change and set an example for other nations in the run up to international climate talks being held next year. This makes the EU the first major world economy to establish clear targets for after 2020. However, the deal contains a clause which may allow the environmental targets to be reviewed if other world economies do not agree to similar measures.

The agreement also includes two 27 per cent targets, for increased renewable energy use and greater energy efficiency. While the latter goal is optional, it may be rise to 30 per cent pending a review in 2020.

European Council president Herman Van Rompuy spoke out in favour of the deal, saying: “It was not easy, not at all, but we managed to reach a fair decision that sets the EU on an ambitious but cost-effective climate path.”

EU Commission président Jose Manuel Barrose echoed this optimism, saying that the agreement “keeps Europe firmly in the driving seat in international climate talks ahead of the Paris summit next year.”

The Brussels summit saw many EU nations take issue with the new regulations.

Poland, for example, argued that as 90 per cent of its electricity comes from coal it would not be possible to meet the targets in the time specified. The country threatened that it would prevent the bill

Tesla is to issue all-wheel-drive versions of its Model S car, the vehicle manufacturer has announced. These AWD (the ‘d’ stands for ‘dual motor’) cars will be equipped with a second electric motor to power the front wheels. This will offer an additional 10 miles of range compared to the current rear-drive version, meaning that models with the longest range will now be able to travel 275 miles on a full charge.

The high performance P85D will be available from December, with 60D and 85D models coming out early next year. Commenting on the benefits of all‑wheel drive, which is also expected to make driving in snowy weather more manageable and reduce 0-60mph time to 3.2 seconds, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said that “literally everything improves about the car with dual-motor.”

Tesla has also revealed that safety and automated driving systems will be introduced over the next few years, including, sonar, radar, image recognition cameras and additional advanced sensors. Musk said that the company expects to release a “fully autonomous car in five or six years.”

passing if the costs to its economy were not discounted to the tune of £12-16 billion, and concessions were made to provide funding to modernise its coal-fired power plants.

Van Rompuy said that there would be “extra support for lower-income countries, both through adequate targets and through additional funds to help them catch up in their clean-energy transition.”

Environmental organisations have criticised the special allowances made for certain countries, with Julia Michalak of Climate Action Network Europe calling the Poland concessions “scandalous”. Michalak said: “A continuation of free emission permits for Poland’s coal-reliant energy system would be a grave mistake. Leaders who came to Brussels to agree new historic climate goals, are actually discussing whether to hand out money to Europe’s dirtiest power plants.”

Meanwhile Joris den Blanken of Greenpeace described it as a “very modest Package”, saying that it would “mean a slowdown in clean energy development in Europe.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/kdtdmeb

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Tesla Model S

READ MORE tinyurl.com/nygmnfm

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

EU drops charging point targets German electric vehicle sales double The European Union has done a U-turn on a November 2013 European Parliament directive that issued targets to member nations for the number of electric vehicle charging points and hydrogen refuelling stations they should have by 2020. Under the directive, the UK was ordered to have 70,000 charging stations installed by 2020, while Germany was expected to have 86,000.

The EU has now done away with these targets and revised the bill so that it does not include binding contracts for member nations. Instead, governments are called upon to deliver national action plans involving the installation of an “appropriate number of electric recharging points accessible to the public” by the end of 2020.

The lobbying organisation Transport & Environment has claimed that this about‑turn will prove counterproductive.

The organisation’s clean vehicles manager

Greg Archer said: “Europe can and should do better and initiate a comprehensive strategy on e-mobility. This continent needs to join the race for clean innovation, cut its €300 billion oil import bill and reduce CO2 emissions as soon as possible.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/q63utk8

The German electric vehicle market has doubled in size since last September, figures show. By the end of this year’s third financial quarter, the country’s market share had climbed to 0.46 per cent, with 1,099 new EVs registered in September. This represents a significant year-on-year increase – last year the EV market share was 0.23. September EV sales were led by the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, of which 186 units were sold. Commentators have welcomed this rise but point out that this market share is small compared to other north European countries; in Norway, 14 per cent of all vehicles sold this September were electric.

E German EV incentives analysed, page 10 READ MORE tinyurl.com/oo7st46

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Innovators

of LED LIghtIng

Full LED ECE Approved Headlamps

A Global See & Be Seen速 Company www.truck-Lite.eu.com

NEWS

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

EMISSIONS

Volvo to roll out hybrid electric buses in Europe

European auto industry seeks carbon concessions

Volvo has launched its low emissions plug-in hybrid bus, the Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid, at the International IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover in September. The automaker claims the bus achieves 75 per cent lower CO2 emissions than a diesel vehicle.

The company has already signed contracts with several European cities for first deliveries of the buses over the coming year. Hamburg, Luxembourg and Stockholm are set to use the new Volvo buses during the next year, while Gothenburg has already tested out the buses.

There are reports of tensions between the major European car manufacturers and EU regulators seeking to enforce carbon efficiency standards in the industry. Some industry figures claim that the targets being imposed regarding investment in technology and the production of efficient models do not reflect market trends, and have requested that carbon-emission limits be reduced.

The standards in question require carmakers to achieve fleet-average emissions of 130 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilometer by next year, and 95g/km by 2020. Carmakers reportedly feel they can meet the 2015 deadline, but are concerned about the 2020 goal and beyond.

Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn, for example, has claimed that the costs of implementing new rules would be “fatal” to the European vehicle industry, and that each

READ MORE tinyurl.com/o55mmcx

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Spanish taxi fleets go electric

The Spanish cities of Madrid and Barcelona have taken delivery of their fully electric taxis; Nissan LEAFs for Madrid and Nissan e-NV200s for Barcelona.

In the case of Barcelona, this forms part of an agreement signed between the Japanese manufacturer, the city council and the Barcelona Metropolitan area.

Jean-Pierre Diernaz, director of Electric Vehicles for Nissan Europe, said: “Declining air quality levels are a top concern across Europe and it’s great to see Madrid and Barcelona taking such positive steps in improving air quality through the incorporate of Nissan’s all-electric cars into their taxi fleets. These taxi bring a huge benefit not only residents but also for the drivers – thanks to the ultra-low running costs only an electric car can offer. This scheme demonstrates that sustainable transportation is easy and affordable for everyone.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/ksqo9xf

Volkswagen’s Winterkorn: implementation of new rules would be “fatal”

1g of CO2 reduction made in the company’s cars costs it €100 million. Winterkorn said at a press event during the Paris Motor Show that more time was needed to address targets for 2020 and beyond.

READ MORE tinyurl.com/lugzmxf

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Five-minute charging in 2016 Researchers at Nanyang Technology University (NTU) in Singapore have developed ultra-fast charging batteries capable of reaching as much as 70 per cent charge within two minutes.

The batteries also offer a lifespan of more than 20 years or 10,000 recharge cycles, over 10 times that of standard lithium-ion batteries. The NTU scientists are currently seeking a license for the technology, which could be available commercially in two

READ MORE tinyurl.com/o6cr32g

years’ time. NTU associate professor Chen Xiaodong said: “Electric cars will be able to increase their range dramatically, with just five minutes of charging, which is on par with the time needed to pump petrol for current cars.”

READ MORE tinyurl.com/k9fdvgz

Electric BMW i3s for Swiss police

The police department in Geneva, Switzerland, will be the first law enforcement agency to use the BMW i3 as a police car. With an area of 5.93km2 and a population of less than 200,000 people, the electric city car is well suited.

The i3’s electric drive-train generates output of 125kW/170hp and peak torque of 250Nm. The BMW i3 sprints from 0 to 60km/h in 3.7 seconds and from 0 to 100km/h in 7.2 seconds. Its top speed is limited to 150km/h for efficiency reasons.

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES

A package of perks for German EV drivers

The ‘Elektromobilitätsgesetz’ law in Germany gives drivers of electric and plug-in hybrids a package of perks, including free parking and the right to use the bus lane, in a bid to increase the uptake of electric vehicles in the country. GreenFleet Europe reports In September, the German federal government passed a new law detailing incentives to support electric vehicles (EVs). The ‘Elektromobilitätsgesetz’ law will allow drivers of battery-powered cars, fuel cell vehicles and some plug-in hybrids to park for free and to use bus lanes, and the government will put money into fund research and develop electric vehicles. The law is likely to come into effect early next year, and will remain in place until June 30, 2030. Local municipalities will have the responsibility of establishing the incentives.

To qualify for the perks, the vehicle will have to be either fully electric, or in the case of hybrids, will have to emit no more than 50g/km CO2 and travel a minimum of 30km on electric power alone.

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Eligible vehicles will be given special identification via their number plates.

Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt said: “In the future, municipalities will be able to choose how to locally promote the use of electric cars, such as offering free parking or special transit rights. In addition, electric vehicles will be identifiable to anyone at a glance thanks to individual labelling. Because of the growing selection of e-models on the market, and the growing number of e-cars on the roads, sales will continue to rise.”

However, some cities, including Hamburg, Berlin, Munich and Stuttgart, have already spoken against sharing the bus lane with fears that it will slow down public transport.

What’s more, German environmentalists have

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expressed concerns that the bus lane plans mean that cyclists who already share the lane with public transport vehicles, will feel increasingly closed-in by motorised traffic.

Slow to take-off While Germany has lagged behind other countries, such as France and Norway, when it comes to the uptake of electric vehicles, the German appetite for electric mobility is improving. Figures for September show the German electric vehicle market has nearly doubled in size since last September. By the end of this year’s third financial quarter, the country’s market share had climbed to 0.46 per cent, with 1,099 new EVs registered in September, while last year the EV market

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

BMW’s i3 has a focus on using sustainable, recycled and lightweight materials

Volkswagen e-Golf

share was only 0.23. September EV sales were led by the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, of which 186 units were sold, the Nissan LEAF (176 units) and the BMW i3 (131 units).

Industry commentators have welcomed this rise in electric vehicle adoption in the country, though some point out that this market share is still small compared to other north European countries. In Norway, for example, 14 per cent of all vehicles sold this September were electric. But it is hoped that the new law will improve things even further.

Electric ambitions In Germany, transport accounts for about 16 per cent of the country’s carbon‑dioxide emissions, and generated about 140 million metric tons of CO2 in 2012, from about 161 million tons in 2001. In 2009, Chancellor Angela Merkel set a target for one million electric cars on the road in Germany by 2020, with the aim of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and to underscore its excellence in auto manufacturing, for which the country is famed.

According to the German Association of the Automotive Industry, or VDA, there will be 17 electric-powered models from German manufacturers out by the end of 2014, and another 12 will be going on sale

next year. The VDA’s president Matthias Wissmann commented: “In no other country do car dealers have such a large selection of electric models. International assessments show: Compared to other countries offering electric cars, Germany’s auto industry is at the top of the list.”

In 2013, BMW launched its first electric vehicle, the i3. The i3 was designed and built from the ground up as an electric vehicle following extensive trials into the real‑world usage of electric vehicles. Not only zero‑emission at the tailpipe, the i3 is engineered using 100 per cent renewable energy; the plant at Moses Lake utilises hydroelectric power and the BMW i assembly in Leipzig uses energy from wind turbines. As a whole, the production uses 50 per cent less energy and 70 per cent less water compared to normal automotive production processes.

Nissan LEAF

at the 2013 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, which are now both currently on sale. The e-Up can drive 160km on one battery charge (18.7kWh), while the e-Golf with its larger battery (24.2kWh) has a range of 190km. In both models, there are two very efficient driving modes (Eco, Eco+) and four to activate regenerative braking modes (D1, D2, D3 and B), which help to extend maximum ranges.

Studies by the German Federal Ministry for Transport, Building and Urban Development found that around 80 per cent of all car drivers in Germany drive fewer than 50 km daily. This means that the average range of an electric vehicle, 145-160km, is more than adequate for most drivers in Germany. With this in mind, along with an increasing range of electric vehicles available, improving charging infrastructure, and the

The ‘Elektromobilitätsgesetz’ law will allow drivers of battery-powered cars, fuel cell vehicles and some plug-in hybrids to park for free and to use bus lanes, and the government will put money into fund research and develop electric vehicles The BMW i3 has a focus on using sustainable, recycled and lightweight materials designed to offset the weight of the battery and to help achieve maximum range.

Volkswagen launched two electric models

incentive package from the government, the ingredients are there to improve the uptake of electric vehicles in Germany.

But only time will tell if the people of Germany find their appetite to plug-in. L Volume 2.5 | GREENFLEET EUROPE MAGAZINE

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CASE STUDY

An innovative and cost effective electrical harness system offering complete flexibility for fleet operators Launching its innovative and award-winning PULSE wiring system earlier this year, UK company LITE-wire continues to see a fantastic response from both fleet and OEM customers in the commercial sector.

Vehicles of all types can benefit from PULSE technology, with many manufacturers and operators already specifying on new vehicle builds, including the AA, Hanson and TFL. Directly targeted at reducing the complication and unreliability so often associated with conventional wiring, PULSE Systems provides a ground breaking solution, requiring just a single cable type to assemble a complete vehicle harness.

Although very clever in design, a LITE-wire installation is incredibly simple, reducing not only cable, but cost and complexity. In many applications cable reductions of over 50 per cent are achieved and the more complex the requirement, the greater the savings, using fewer cables and taking less time to install.

How does it work? PULSE LITE-control units allocate a dedicated digital signal (PULSE) to each function connected to the system, allowing multiple products to be controlled along a single cable. Road lighting, beacons, worklamps, switches, alarms,

relays and sensors can all be connected onto the same supply cable, dramatically simplifying previously complex installations.

The PULSE system is completely intuitive, allowing the connection of electrical equipment or switching anywhere on the harness using a very simple but robust IP67 plug and play t-piece system. No longer is there a requirement for a dedicated wired connection between switch and associated electrical items, with multi-way switch panels offering incredible flexibility for

more complex applications. Shown recently at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Exhibition in Germany, LITE-wire has now released a plug and play wireless module, which is especially useful for the switching of beacons, work lamps or other equipment when working outside of the vehicle.

Light commercial utility vans which are increasingly specified with vast levels of equipment are assisted by the integrated electrical protection features within the PULSE control components. Auto resettable digital fusing is provided at every connection point, along with a master battery guard system that removes the supply power to ancillary equipment automatically, should the battery voltage fall below pre-set levels.

The Digital infrastructure of the PULSE system will ensure complete future proofing, providing an upgradable platform for the implementation of tomorrow’s products.

WI-FI, GPS and GPRS modules will very shortly give both fleet operators and drivers a real time link into the vehicle electrical system.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.LITE-wire.com

Reducing Cable, Cost & Complexity 100% Plug & Play Vehicle Electrical System | IP67 Sealing | Unskilled Installation | Digital Scenario Control What is LITE-wire

Innovation Award Winners — TIP-EX, 2014

Using technology more commonly associated with High Volume vehicle production, LITE-wire have created a patented PULSE communication system that is both modular and intuitive, simplifying even the most complex of Commercial Wiring Installations with the use of Digital Control.

What are the benefits PULSE technology allows all products to be controlled via a single cable which dramatically reduces the amount of cable required. When coupled with our Innovative Plug & Play Format, both the initial installation and subsequent Field Maintenance are incredibly simple.

LITE-wire Systems are compatible with all vehicle types allowing the integration of LED Road Lighting onto any system.

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Example Light Commercial Vehicle, MICRO-pulse harness system with Battery Guard | Handbrake control & Auxiliary Lighting

Find Out More @ LITE-wire.com | sales@LITE-wire.com | +44 (0) 1842 800801 LITE-wire is a UK company working both locally and globally in the advancement of vehicle technology

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What will the city buses of the near future operate on? Will they be based on biofuels, electricity, diesel, hydrogen or good old fossil fuels? A panel of experts from the CIVITAS initiative tackled these questions with their latest policy note

Bus technology has come a long way in Europe, with a variety of cleaner bus solutions on the market. Knowing which one is best for a particular urban area, however, is a challenge for local governments and decision‑makers who need to make sustainable and cost‑efficient decisions that contribute to global and national environmental goals.

Whether it’s for health concerns, meeting EU commitments or pre-empting the decline in fossil fuel reserves, governments are slowly awakening to the reality of a greener and more sustainable transport model.

One enterprising effort in this respect, the EU-funded CIVITAS initiative, has produced a policy note to help guide decision makers and policymakers on green bus solutions. The initiative was launched in 2002 and has been

LOW-EMISSION BUSES

City buses come clean

Urban is rt transpo le for ib respons uarter of q about a emissions total COn2sport and by coaches, buses and from tra rban mobility trolley buses in the EU are 2025 u ecasted to more than 10 years old, with few modern bus fleets is for uble corresponding to the Euro V do

redefining transport measures and policies to create greener and more sustainable urban transport.

It’s recent Policy Note on available and most promising clean bus fuels and technologies could be pivotal for supporting upgrades in Europe’s and even the world’s bus fleets.

Air pollution Keeping in mind that urban transport is responsible for about a quarter of total CO2 emissions from transport and that by 2025 urban mobility is forecasted to double, the European Union is keen on encouraging clean bus transport to help decarbonise its cities.

The challenge is that almost half of the motor

standard. This implies that we’re heading to significantly more pollution.

Luckily, there are different ways to reduce emissions from buses, such as improving vehicle technology or powertrains and considering alternative fuels to power vehicles. The CIVITAS policy note was designed to identify the clean bus options available, including which energy sources and technologies to choose from. In a bid to support decision makers, municipalities and public transport operators, it outlined the advantages and disadvantages of the different options, including costs involved. Importantly,  Volume 2.5 | GREENFLEET EUROPE MAGAZINE

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 the policy note also looked at which fuels require installing additional infrastructure and associated costs. The main clean or cleaner bus options are fossil fuels, biofuels, electricity, diesel hybrid, hybrid electric and hydrogen.

Comparing different technologies What is the best technology out there for cities and how much does it cost?

The experts at CIVITAS analysed different studies and test cases to find out. They based their comparison of five promising technologies mentioned above, based on a regular single-deck diesel bus, and came up with some surprising conclusions.

They found that diesel buses are still the most economical with the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO), particularly when using the latest Euro VI engine technology where pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions are very low, comparable to Euro 6 natural gas engines. While natural gas buses are readily available from the major manufacturers, costs are higher, while emission advantages over diesel have diminished with the introduction of Euro 6 (diesel) technologies.

In the meantime, buses running on biofuels are becoming more and more widespread,

by diesel generator). Today, the trend is towards serial hybrid buses. Strong arguments for serial hybrid include much higher brake energy recovery, possibility for zero emissions range, and a better basis for transition towards plug-in and fully electric buses.

The outlook for the future In the short term, introduction of clean or cleaner buses can help implement EU 2020 targets in several ways. For diesel buses, high blends of first or second generation biodiesel can be used to increase the renewable energy share above the blending limit. For gas engines, biogas can be used to increase the renewable share (up to 100 per cent). The application of hybrid drivelines with diesel or gas engines can further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 20 per cent.

Already, some European cities are making significant progress in this area. From 2015 onwards, Amsterdam will ensure that all its buses will at least conform to the EEV1 norm.

By 2015, all buses in London will meet EURO 6 standards, and already there is a strong fleet of 300 hybrid buses in service. Oslo is ensuring that by 2020 all its buses will use renewable fuels, and has already phased out all EURO

In the longer term and with the EU 2050 target in mind, full electric buses and possibly also hydrogen fuel cell buses show the most promise, thanks to their high energy efficiency and possible combination with renewable solar or wind energy with their TCO being comparable to that of diesel buses. Although emissions with biofuels (biodiesel, HVO, bio-methane, bio‑ethanol) depend on the particular type and blend, with Euro VI engine technologies the differences are small. GHG emissions will most probably be lower for all biofuels, but this depends considerably on the feedstock and the production process involved.

Plugging-in On another front, full electric buses are starting to become commercially available, but driving range and costs of batteries are still an issue. Where a trolleybus network exists, wider utilisation of these buses should be considered. Another promising option is hydrogen fuel cell buses, although these are currently still in an experimental stage and purchase costs for prototypes are very high.

The issue to keep in mind here as well is that both electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses require high investment costs in infrastructure at the level that most cities are right now.

One interesting option currently is diesel hybrid or hybrid/electric. Specifically, two diesel hybrid bus technologies are now available on the market: parallel hybrids with electric and conventional drives (small electric motor assists diesel motor), and serial hybrid configuration with dominating electric system (full electric motor powered

III buses. In Hamburg only emission‑free buses will be procured from 2020 onwards.

Stockholm is also at the forefront of sustainable bus transport as already almost 60 per cent of buses operate on renewable fuels. By 2025 it plans to drive all its public transport system on renewable energy.

Overall, in the longer term and with the EU 2050 target in mind, full electric buses and possibly also hydrogen fuel cell buses show the most promise, thanks to their high energy efficiency and possible combination with renewable solar or wind energy. In this context it is important to start building experience in pilot series with 2035 and later technologies, because full development with competitive prices will take several decades.

Against this backdrop, if financial resources allow, municipalities and public transport operators should aim for the zero emissions or options that come closest to it. Alternatively, especially within the current economic and financial crisis, conventional diesel buses (Euro VI) and their hybrid configurations represent a very good environmentally friendly option as well. Whatever options they can afford, the message to public transport operators, municipalities and decision makers is to act now if we want a cleaner environment two decades down the line. 

LOW-EMISSION BUSES

About CIVITAS

In recent years, visionaries and policymakers have dreamt of creating societies where transport is green, safe and sustainable.

But more often than not, these dreams have remained on pen and paper. CIVITAS however has brought a breath of fresh air in this respect, introducing change to over 200 European cities towards greener transport under one dynamic and very active network.

The word CIVITAS was coined by joining three key components of a modern European society, namely City, Vitality and Sustainability. The initiative was launched in 2002 to redefine transport measures and policies in order to create cleaner, better transport in cities.

More specifically, CIVITAS has helped introduce numerous innovations and measures that have already made transport more eco-friendly in over 60 European metropolitan areas dubbed ‘demonstration cities’. Thanks to an EU-funded investment of well over EUR 200 million, the project has guided cities to introduce improvements in four phases of the project, each building on previous successes. Examples include a public transport ticketing system in Tallinn, Estonia, a 100 per cent clean bus fleet in Toulouse, France, waterborne goods transport in Bremen, Germany and a new traffic control system in Bologna, Italy.

Indeed, over the last ten years CIVITAS has managed to test over 800 measures and urban transport solutions, supported by the intensive exchange of good practices in the field. The project empowered citizens to convince politicians on adopting these innovations, upgrading the quality and sustainability of urban transport for numerous European cities.

This project runs until 2016, opening opportunities for other cities to follow suit. If you would like to get involved, visit www.civitas.eu for more details.

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PARIS MOTOR SHOW Written by Richard Gooding

French fancies ‘The future of the automobile is in Paris’ said the publicity material. The recent Mondial de l’Automobile in the French capital boasted 80 world premieres from 250 of the world’s car manufacturers in 17 countries as well as an electric vehicle and hybrid driving arena. GreenFleet visited Porte de Versailles to see what gourmet motoring treats were on offer Alternating every two years with the IAA Frankfurt (Frankfurt motor show), the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris spans seven halls at the Paris Expo site at Porte de Versailles. For 2014, one of those pavilions was split in two housing an indoor EV and hybrid driving track.

A total of 1,253,513 visitors experienced the treats of 321 exhibitors from 4 to 19 October. Here are GreenFleet’s picks from the Paris car catwalk.

HYBRID VEHICLES Citroën C4 Cactus Airflow 2L Concept The boldly-styled Citroën C4 Cactus was only launched in the summer of 2014, but the French manufacturer showcased an ultra‑economical concept version in Paris. The name refers to the headline fuel economy figure of 2 litres/100km. Its body is optimised for slipping through the air, with a 20 per cent improvement in aerodynamics.

Lightweight construction materials mean the Airflow 2L Concept is 100kg lighter

than a standard C4 Cactus at 865kg, while its PureTech 82 three-cylinder petrol engine is mated with PSA Peugeot Citroën’s ‘Hybrid Air’ technology.

Ford Mondeo Hybrid Ford finally pulled the covers off its new Mondeo at Porte de Versailles and for the first time there is a Mondeo Hybrid. The Mondeo Hybrid is only available as a four-door saloon.

Using Ford’s third‑generation petrol-electric hybrid system, the 1.4kWh lithium-ion battery is charged by one of two electric motors – the other supports the petrol engine in driving the wheels. A top speed of 136km/h is achievable in electric mode, and the specially-developed 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine and electric drivetrain have an output of 187PS with 4.2l/100km and 99g/km CO2.

Lexus NX 300h Lexus used Paris to launch the NX 300h compact premium SUV. The hybrid model combines a 2.5litre Atkinson cycle petrol

Volkswag en Passat V ariant

engine, electric motor/s and E-CVT automatic transmission. Emissions start at 116g/km of CO2.

Peugeot 208 Hybrid 2L Like Citroën’s C4 Cactus Airflow 2L Concept, Peugeot’s 208 Hybrid 2L uses Hybrid Air technology to score an impressive 2 litres per 100km. The 208 2L uses carbon composites for the body panels, sides, doors and roof, along with the coil springs in the suspension. The hybrid drive system features a mix of petrol and compressed air. In ‘Air’ mode, the car runs on compressed air alone, consuming no fuel and emitting no CO2.

Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Alongside the rest of the new Cayenne range, Porsche unveiled the Cayenne S E-Hybrid, which it claims is the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment. A lithium-ion traction battery with an energy capacity of 10.9 kWh, enables an all-electric driving range of 11 to 22 miles, depending on the style of driving and nature of the route. Combined fuel consumption is quoted at 3.4l/100km with 79g/km CO2.

Renault EOLAB concept Renault pulled the wraps off its super-eco EOLAB concept, which has a headline fuel consumption figure of 1 litre/100km.

Featuring 100 technological innovations which will

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Hall 2.1 at Porte de Versailles featured an electric and hybrid vehicle test centre where the public could take a drive of the latest green cars.

EV and st centre hybrid te

Models from major makers BMW, Nissan, Renault, Smart and Tesla were available to be driven around the indoor circuit. In addition, niche manufaturers such as Courb and Eon Motors also had vehicles on offer. Other EV manufacturers on show in the main halls included quadricycle maker Axiam, who displayed the eCity and eCoupé models; Kia, who was displaying its Soul EV; and Nissan, with its e-NV200 and Leaf.

PARIS MOTOR SHOW

Electric and hybrid vehicle test centre

Škoda Fabia

Fiat 500X

Renault Twingo Hyundai ation i20 er New Gen

appear on production Renaults by 2020, active aerodynamics reduce drag by 30 per cent, while a Z.E. hybrid powertrain emits only 22g/km of CO2 emissions.

Volkswagen Passat GTE German car maker Volkswagen chose the Mondial de l’Automobile to give the new eighth‑generation Passat its first public airing.

Top of the tree is the GTE, a petrol‑electric plug-in hybrid. Combined output from the TSI engine and electric motor is 218PS (with 400Nm of torque), while driving range is over 965km, up to 49 of those in all-electric mode.

CONVENTIONALLY-FUELLED VEHICLES Fiat 500X Italian company Fiat added an SUV-style crossover to its 500 range in Paris. The 500X combines Fiat 500 styling cues with off-road rugged capability. Front-wheel and four‑wheel drive models are available, with a range made up of four petrol and three diesel engines.

Ford Focus, C-MAX and S-MAX Ford used the Paris motor show as a springboard to launch a heavily revised versions of the Focus, C-MAX and S-MAX. The Focus delivers up to 15 per cent improved efficiency over the old model, while a new 1.5‑litre EcoBoost petrol engine and changes

Jaguar X E

to the 1.5 and 2.0 TDCi diesels offer reductions in CO2, as do other fuel-saving technologies.

Redesigned inside and out with improved fuel efficiency, the new C-MAX models take on the new family Ford look shared with the new Focus. A new 1.5‑litre EcoBoost engine and 105PS 99g/km 1.5-litre TDCi ECOnetic engine are star features. The S-MAX emissions reduced by seven per cent.

Hyundai i20 Designed, developed and built in Europe, Hyundai’s New Generation i20 has smarter looks than before, and is longer, lower and wider than the old model. Buyers can choose between 1.25 and 1.4-litre petrol, and 1.1 and 1.4-litre diesel engines – as low as 84g/km.

Jaguar XE The new Jaguar XE takes the British brand into the BMW 3 Series class for the first time. An aluminium-intensive monocoque is a class first, while a high-efficiency 163PS, 3.8l/100km 2.0-litre diesel emits 99g/km of CO2. Electric power steering delivers further CO2 savings of up to three per cent.

Nissan Pulsar Japanese company Nissan gave the Pulsar five-door hatchback its public debut in Paris. A Volkswagen Golf rival, the cleanest Pulsar emits 94g/km of CO2 from its 1.5-litre dCi engine.

Renault Twingo It was the first chance for many buyers to see the all-new third-generation Renault Twingo.

Rear-engined, rear wheel drive and with five doors, the cleanest version of the Renault baby is a 95g/km 1.0‑litre Dynamique SCe 70 with Stop & Start. Škoda Fabia The third-generation Fabia was the star of Škoda’s stand in Paris. A 1.4 TDI model with 90PS is the most eco-friendly in the range, sharing its 88g/km three-cylinder engine with VW’s Polo.

Smart Fortwo and Forfour A new version of the two-seater Fortwo city car was one arrival on the Smart stand; the other being the reintroduction of the larger Forfour.

Sharing parts with the Renault Twingo, both are rear-engined and rear-wheel drive, powered by turbocharged three-cylinder engines.

Opel Corsa The new Opel Corsa takes emissions down to as low as 85g/km and fuel consumption as high as 3.2l/100km.

Volvo XC90 Volvo’s new seven-seat crossover features four‑wheel drive and a full complement of clean Drive-E four‑cylinder engines. L Volume 2.5 | GREENFLEET EUROPE MAGAZINE

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The 5th Green Vehicle Convention 2014 will take place on 12-14 November in Beijing, China, and will explore the latest developments in the country’s green vehicle market Chinese President Xi Jinping said on May 24 that new-energy vehicles are crucial for the country’s auto industry and that great importance should be placed on the vehicles. His comment boosted new-energy vehicle stocks up to the daily limit on May 26. China sold a total of 6,853 new-energy vehicles in the first quarter of 2014, a 120 per cent year-on-year increase, according to data from China Association of Automobile Manufacturers on April 22. Although experts say that sales were mainly boosted by public bodies such as bus operators, with private consumers only accounting for a very small number of sales, automakers still display a passion in the market for green vehicles.

Official lst China is offering more official support on electric cars. The State Council issued a guideline to promote new energy vehicles, urging for construction of charging facilities and elimination of regional protectionism.

In the meantime, private funds are encouraged to take stake in the construction of charging facilities. The guidelines also say that local governments are not allowed to put up barriers to keep new energy autos from entering local markets.

Besides, an increasingly prominent trend in the government vehicle sector is the increased focus on new energy vehicle purchases. This trend has been brought on in part by government legislation which mandates that new energy vehicles account for at least 30 per cent of all government vehicles purchased between 2014 and 2016.

A few days ago, Chinese government announced that new energy cars will be exempted from a 10 per cent purchase tax starting from September in its bid to save energy and combat pollution. From September 1st 2014 to the end of 2017, buyers of qualified pure electric cars, plug-in hybrid electric cars and fuel cell cars will not have to pay vehicle purchase tax, according to a statement released after an executive meeting of the State Council, or the Cabinet.

On September 16th, China Ministry of Transportation issued ‘Opinion’ on new energy vehicles to speed up the popularisation and application of the implementation opinions. ‘Opinion’ shows that, as of 2020, the application of new energy vehicles in the transportation industry to take shape, totalled 300,000 vehicles, new energy vehicles on urban transportation will contribute up to 20 per cent of the energy saving and emission reduction.

In the ‘opinions’, Ministry of Transportation opens a green light in three areas. It will

award priority to new energy vehicles for city buses, taxis and urban logistics distribution vehicle operators; for local governments, new energy vehicles do not impose restrictions or buy discipline policy; and taxi operation indicators for new energy resources appropriate to relax, new energy city logistics distribution vehicle operator index does not implement total amount control.

The 5th Green Vehicle Convention 2014 will take place on 12-14 November in Beijing, China, with support from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Shanghai Jiaotong University. This year’s convention brings you 300 key industry experts, 30 local case studies from OEMs, 20 hours of networking and 50 exhibition stands.

Speakers list The latest confirmed speaker list includes RAO Da, secretary general of The China Passenger Car Association (CPCA); Stanley TANG, vice president of Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co, Ltd.; LING Tianjun, chief engineer of New Energy and Technology Management Department of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited; YE

GREEN VEHICLE CONVENTION

Chinese government boosts new energy car industry

Shengji, the deputy secretary general of China Association of Automobile Manufacturer; ZHAN Wenzhang, vice director – Strategy Planning Department of Beijing Automotive Group Co, Ltd; ZHENG Gang, general manager of Beijing New Energy Vehicle Co, Ltd. and so on.

Confirmed delegates Newly-confirmed delegates are from Mitsubishi Electric, DENSO China (Investment) Co Ltd, Eaton Vehicle Group Ltd, UL-CCIC Company Limited, Lear corporation, Higen Motor, Webasto, UTIL Guangzhou Auto Parts,ltd, Dana GMBH, Brose, ACOME, Goodyear Rubber&Tire Co Ltd, and BASF China Coating.

Don’t miss the separately-bookable training course on ‘New Energy Vehicle Development Opportunity and Core Technology R&D Progress’ to analyse, debate and learn how to overcome the key technical bottleneck complexities to building mutually beneficial relationship with OEMs.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.cdmc.org.cn/2014/gm

Volume 2.5 | GREENFLEET EUROPE MAGAZINE

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With 2,066 exhibitors from 45 countries and 322 world premieres, the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show confirmed its position as the world’s most important trade fair for mobility, transport and logistics

How er efficiency increases and to furth O2 cost reductions. But, more C solutions should be reduce om road r f offered and transport s n s emissiotransport wa operators need to be 4 t 1 h encouraged to get 0 g i 2 e fr t the al a involved through d e t a ci r deb e better guidance on m m IAA Co icles available solutions Veh and incentives to invest.

Transport Associations event

How to further reduce CO2 emissions from road freight transport was the topic of a joint debate organised at this year’s IAA Commercial Vehicles event, which took place in Hanover, Germany, from 25 September to 2 October.

In the framework of the recently published European Commission strategy to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from heavy duty vehicles (HDVs) the debate acknowledged the progress made so far and the plans to proceed with decarbonising road freight transport but also identified the barriers that are hindering the industry’s ability to make further progress.

Speakers called for greater transparency on the technologies available to further reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and highlighted the regulatory constraints and investment difficulties involved in investing in new, greener vehicles.

Michael Nielsen, International Road Transport Union (IRU) General Delegate to the European Union said: “Positive results can be noted in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emission reductions as hauliers achieve economic benefits in terms of

in several countries have already taken the lead in providing such guidance to their operators.”

Dr Kay Lindemann, managing director of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), pointed out: “The fuel consumption of heavy trucks had already been reduced by about 60 per cent since the 1960s.” He underlined that “market forces set strong incentives for the industry to bring fuel consumption further down.

Manufacturers get clear signals from their customers that fuel efficiency is a crucial issue in investment decisions.”

New strategies The publication of the new European Commission strategy for reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption was welcomed, especially the creation of a harmonised methodology to measure,

IAA COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Commercial vehicle showcase in Hanover

report and monitor fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from new HDVs, but key shortcomings, such as a lack of recognition of transport operator schemes to reduce CO2 and fuels consumption and the possibility that the strategy could be used to support forced modal shift where strongly questioned.

Michael Nielsen added: “The European Institutions and governments should do more to recognise the voluntary initiatives undertaken by industry and use them as a basis when new measures are planned.

Vehicle and component manufacturers, transport operator representatives and governments should reinforce their cooperation on solutions and spread awareness. The IRU is definitely prepared to work together with the Commission, governments and industry in this respect.”

Dr Lindemann said: “Vehicle manufacturers will continue their efforts to further improve the trucks’ energy efficiency. But technical innovations alone will not be enough. Joint efforts are necessary. Operators, drivers and policymakers must contribute as well. For example, public infrastructure investment is an important pillar of a sustainability strategy for road transport. When traffic jams due to insufficient infrastructure lead to an increase in fuel consumption all the industry’s efforts are in vain.”  Volume 2.5 | GREENFLEET EUROPE MAGAZINE

21

IAA COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

 Gas-fuel vehicles The road transport sector is dominated until today by diesel fuel. The diesel share of new registered trucks in Europe is almost at 100 per cent for heavy duty trucks and over 90 per cent for light duty trucks. The prospected growth of transport volume could in future raise the pressure on the diesel. Alternatives to diesel, like biodiesel and HVOs, could relieve this dependence on fossil diesel fuel, and is especially needed for the heavy duty segment.

In the short and medium term, LNG seems to be a promising and very attractive alternative to diesel. LNG is capable of complying with future emission standards, allows a high engine efficiency and has a high energy density, which is a prerequisite for the use in the heavy duty road segment. The German Strategy on Mobility and Fuels has acknowledged the outstanding role of CNG for a future balanced energy mix and intends to adjust the political instruments towards a strengthening of CNG. The technological hurdles seem manageable.

The biggest challenge however is the build-up of a comprehensive infrastructure across Europe. The EU- Directive for Alternative fuel infrastructure has well addressed this issue.

During the IAA, policy makers, natural gas suppliers, members of the automotive industry and customers of LNG all shared their different views on LNG and discussed possible future approaches for a mobility with LNG.

costs for transport companies. The systems are powerful: from simply determining the vehicle’s position, to communication between the driver and the dispatch centre, automatic route planning including truck navigation, evaluation of driver and vehicle data, all the way to maintenance planning and logistical support for transport assignments.

All of this helps reduce the costs of fuel, staff and vehicles. Yet many companies still shy away from acquiring a telematics system. The large number of providers, the wide range of system functions, and the cost of the investment and operation, all combine to be somewhat off-putting.

The IAA held a seminar offering telematics purchasing advice to firms interested in telematics. Telematics experts provided practical, user-friendly help regarding which system is right for which company.

The Germanon y Strateg d Fuels n ya Mobilit nowledged has ack tstanding the ou NG for a C role of balanced future gy mix ener

Telematics Telematics is one of the most important tools for raising efficiency and reducing

Electric mobility The latest electric and hybrid trucks and buses were showcased at the IAA Commercial Vehicles event.

FUSO presented its Canter E-CELL, an all‑electric light-duty truck, produced in a small series, which can carry up to 3t with a range of over 100 km for inner-city purpose.

MAN presented its concept TGX Hybrid long-haul truck designed to save fuel and cut TCO. In its parallel hybrid system an electric motor supports the diesel unit on grades and recovers brake energy.

Nissan showcased its new concept luxury ‘E-VIP’ shuttle. Designers have transformed the all-electric e-NV200 Evalia people carrier into a zero-emission limousine.

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Also on show was Peugeot’s Partner Electric van, which has a range of 170km.

The battery is hidden in a way that the loading platform is completely usable.

Scania showcased its new hybridised version of Scania Citywide, the only certified hybrid bus for parallel operations with biodiesel.

The new Solaris Urbino Hybrid was at the event and is a completely new engineering design. Despite being lighter, it is more robust and has a host of newly developed features that improve all characteristics of the bus.

Volvo presented its 7900 Electric Hybrid city bus with plug-in technology that reduces fuel consumption and carbon dioxide by up to 75 per cent, compared to a conventional diesel bus.

What’s more, EBUSCO B.V. presented its completely new, 100 per cent electric 12-m low-floor city bus. Scania showed off its broad Euro VI ranges for truck engines, with a total of 18 variants for diesel, biodiesel, bio and natural gas. The new Mercedes Econic NGT with gas-powered engines offers an excellent solution for driving economically, extremely quietly and with low emissions.

What’s more, Volvo Trucks launched the new Volvo FH 16 in Euro VI with a new generation of 16-litre engines producing a choice of 750, 650 and 550hp. Wrapping up the show on the last day, Matthias Wissmann, President of the VDA said: “As all professionals involved with commercial vehicles now know, this is the meeting place for this industry’s creativity and pioneering spirit from all corners of the world.

At this IAA all of us have seen and experienced commercial vehicles’ enormous drive for innovation: 322 world premieres, 78 European premieres, and 52 German premieres.”  FURTHER INFORMATION www.iaa.de/en

Conception : Chaïkana - Crédits photos : Thinkstock

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Fuel consumption (l/100 km)/CO2 emissions (g/km): urban 5.9/138, extra-urban 5.0/116, combined 5.1/119.