BRUSSELS, Oct. 23 -- The European
Parliament on Wednesday supported proposed legislation to promote a
broad market introduction of clean and energy efficient vehicles
through public procurement.
The proposed directive will introduce, for the
first time, energy consumption, carbon dioxide and pollutant emission
as mandatory award criteria for public procurement of vehicles. As a
result, not only the price of a vehicle, but also the environmental
impact it has during its lifetime will be reflected in the purchase
decision.
The proposed legislation applies to
public authorities and publicly owned enterprises and to enterprises
running public passenger transport services. But flexibility is
provided for local authorities on the detailed implementation.
The European Commission, which
proposed the legislation, hopes that public procurement of such
vehicles will result in a considerably faster and broader market
introduction of clean and energy efficient vehicles and in a reduction
of their costs through economies of scale.
The commission welcomed the overwhelming support of the European Parliament for the proposal.
"This agreement marks an important
step forward in the energy, climate and environment policies of the
European Union," said European Commission Vice President Antonio
Tajani, who is in charge of transport affairs.
"The public sector in Europe will
set an example by promoting new and better vehicle technologies for a
future sustainable transport system. This sends a clear signal to the
market and to the citizens on the competitive value of technologies
which save energy and protect the environment," he said.
Vehicle procurement by public
authorities in the EU are estimated at 110,000 passenger cars, 110,000
light commercial vehicles, 35,000 trucks and 17,000 buses.
Source: Xinhua