EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/313

(2004/C 88 E/0318)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0070/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(23 January 2003)

Subject: Rise of fuel-inefficient and unsafe off-road vehicles in the United States and measures to prevent similar developments in the EU

1. Is the Commission aware of the sharp rise in the production and sale in the United States of four-wheel-drive off-road vehicles and that more of these heavy cars with an extremely high energy consumption are now being sold than conventional cars?

2. Is the Commission also aware that the rise in this type of car in the United States is attracting increasing criticism and opposition as it makes the United States even more dependent on oil imports and makes a major call on oil stocks and a significant contribution to environmental pollution?

3. Is the Commission also aware that this type of car is dangerous for passengers and their environment in that they can easily roll over in the case of unexpected movements and have a 5 m rear blind spot which prevents the driver from seeing children at the side when reversing?

4. What proportion of cars in the EU do off-road vehicles account for?

5. Has a similar sharp increase in off-road vehicles been seen in the Member States of the EU?

6. What is being done to discourage the production, import and sale of such cars in the EU to a greater extent than hitherto?

Source: RTL4 TV in the Netherlands, News, 4 January 2003.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2003)

The Commission is fully aware that the sales and the market share in the United States of so-called sport utility vehicles (SUVs), vans and pick-up trucks has increased substantially and now amount to about 50 % of the new sales of light vehicles. Their share of the total fleet of light vehicles is approaching 30 %. These vehicles are almost exclusively equipped with petrol engines and have a relatively high fuel consumption. The low price of petrol in the United States has been a contributing factor to the rising sales of such vehicles.

The Commission is aware of the growing concern in the United States about the increased use of these types of vehicles. Recently the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publicly raised their concerns, primarily focussing on the roll-over risks. Discussions on environmental impact and energy dependence are also taking place. Another area of concern in both the United Sates and Europe is the issue of compatibility between these vehicles and the relatively smaller average passenger vehicle in crash situations. The construction of the SUVs will, in general, provide a much higher level of impact with a consequent increase in potential injury levels. This issue is now being taken up by some manufacturers and legislative authorities.

All SUVs and pick-up trucks that are sold in the European market must comply with all relevant Community and national legislation.

The Commission is closely following the performance of these vehicles, particularly high-riding and heavy SUVs to see if any measures are necessary. However, some forthcoming and already proposed requirements will deal with some of the most important elements with regard to this kind of vehicle. In this regard, as has already been announced, a Framework Directive will be proposed by the Commission concerning the protection of pedestrians and cyclists which will cover this kind of vehicles up to 2,5 tonnes weight. In addition, the Commission will further propose a Directive concerning so-called bull-bars, equipment which is quite frequently used on these vehicles. Finally, the Commission has already proposed a Directive concerning improved indirect vision (1), which will require mirrors or alternative measures to reduce ‘dead angles’.

The term ‘Sport Utility Vehicles’ is not exactly defined. However, it is estimated that of all light vehicles registered in the Community about 3 % are SUVs, so the share is only about a tenth of the American level. It is difficult to foresee how the market will develop but there are some factors that would limit the use of these vehicles, like the price of them, the fuel consumption and the price of fuel, and the size of them, which makes them impractical in many urban areas in Europe. Still, there is no doubt that their sales are increasing.

It is important to note that the vehicle industry has undertaken a commitment to achieve a reduction of Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from M1 passenger cars down to the average of 140 grammes per kilometer (gr/km) by 2008/2009 for sales on the Community market. The monitoring of the commitment has shown decreasing CO2 emission over recent years. As far as SUVs and similar vehicles are classified as M1 passenger cars they would fall under this commitment. Improved fuel consumption is therefore an important factor for the industry. The Commission has proposed to extend the measurements of CO2 to include vehicles of category N1 (vehicles used for carriage of goods) (2). Currently, the Commission is conducting a study in order to evaluate options if and how this category could be covered by CO2 reduction measures. It is planned to inform Council and the Parliament about the outcome of this study still in 2003.

It is not the policy of the Commission to discourage the sale of any particular vehicle type as long as they fulfil all safety and emission requirements. However, the Commission is examining and working continuously on initiatives to increase the environmental and safety standards of vehicles sold in the Internal Market.

(1) OJ C 126 E, 28.5.2002.

(2) OJ C 51 E, 26.2.2002.