The European Commission is strongly committed to developing and promoting sustainable mobility. Its objectives include incentives for the use of alternative fuels (LPG, methane and biofuels) and the development of new fueling stations and charging points for electric vehicles. In this respect, we have carried out several ‘virtual interview’, through extracts from experts’ interventions, in order to show the points of view of some of the European personalities involved in deciding on mobility and transport.
The virtual interview below, which you can read together with the others in this issue of Energy Journal, has Adina Velean (European Commissioner for Transport) as the protagonist.
Adina Vălean is the European Commissioner for Transport. Ms. Vălean has been a European MP since 2007. In 2019, the became President of the Commission for Industry, Research and Energy. Moreover, she also served as Vice President of the European Parliament (2014-2017) and President of the Commission for the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (2017-2019).
With the new European Green Deal, the automotive sector is once again in the commission’s firing line. The current objective is to reach 95gCO2/km by 2021. In addition, more ambitious goals are set for 2030 and 2050. Reducing 90% of CO2 emissions by 2050 is a key objective. Do you think it is feasible achievement? What are some of the initiatives, currently in place, working in that direction?
We must ensure the free circulation of freight in the EU and promote coordination amongst member states in this period of health and economic emergency caused by the coronavirus. The transport sector has been heavily disrupted by the emergency in all sectors: air, road, rail and maritime. And it’s not only the companies that are suffering, but all passengers, workers and the economy as a whole. This is why it is important to coordinate as many decisions as possible amongst EU member states. In any case, when it comes to future scenarios, the strategy on sustainable and intelligent mobility will lead us towards a transport sector aligned with a clean, digital and modern economy. When it comes to future scenarios, the strategy on sustainable and intelligent mobility will lead us towards a transport sector aligned with a clean, digital and modern economy. In this respect, the European plan certainly guarantees that transport will drive climate neutrality by reducing 90% of emissions by 2050, as per the European Green Deal”. In terms of climate neutrality, there is a strong need for cleaner vehicles and alternative fuels for road, maritime and aviation. I strongly believe that, in order to improve transport efficiency, it will be necessary to increase the use of rail and inland waterways as well. Moreover, green options must be incentivized for consumers, as well as providing solutions for low- and zero-emission solutions, including infrastructure.
Source: “EU strategy for mobility and transport: measures needed until 2030 and beyond” (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-9-2020-01-29-INT-1-403-0000_EN.html)
Aside from the impact on air pollution and CO2 emissions, sustainable and electric mobility are bound to play a crucial role, in broader terms, in the lives of million Europeans. What do you consider as the primary benefits for European citizens regarding green mobility?
I am 100% committed to leaving no one behind as we embark on this green and digital transformation. The Just Transition Mechanism will be key here: it will mobilize 100 billion euros to address the social and economic effects of the green transition, focusing on the region’s industries and workers who will face the greatest challenges. The connectivity provided by transport is fundamental to freedom of movement in the European Union. It should go without saying that, while we must embark on a significant reduction of emissions from transport and harness digital opportunities for the sector, safety and security will continue to come first. Our strategy will incorporate measures for maintaining the highest safety and security standards in the world of transport.
Source: “EU strategy for mobility and transport: measures needed until 2030 and beyond” (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-9-2020-01-29-INT-1-403-0000_EN.html)
In order to achieve such ambitious goal, it is important to improve the technology utilized in the mobility sector. In this respect, what are some of the most important digital innovations?
The implementation of ICTs technology is, undoubtedly, a crucial factor in the effort to achieve our objectives. Digitalization, in fact, allows us to increase traffic efficiency through artificial intelligence and it benefits from services for shared and efficient mobility such as car sharing. This will require accessibility, convenience and connectivity, as well as security and protection to ensure the highest global transport safety and security standards. Therefore, it is necessary to continue investing in research and innovation, working side by side with industry.
Source: “EU strategy for mobility and transport: measures needed until 2030 and beyond” (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-9-2020-01-29-INT-1-403-0000_EN.html)
