WRITTEN QUESTION E-0904/01 by Elisabeth Schroedter (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. EU authorisation for diesel cars using cold-pressed rape-seed oil.
Date: 2001-03-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, freedom of movement, motor vehicle, substitute fuel, vegetable oil

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/149

finding that the German postal operator has abused its dominant position by granting fidelity rebates and
engaging in predatory pricing in the market for business parcel services.

(1) OJ C 306, 23.10.1999.
(2) OJ L 395, 30.12.1989, republished in OJ L 257, 21.9.1990.

(2001/C 318 E/161)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0904/01

by Elisabeth Schroedter (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 March 2001)

Subject: EU authorisation for diesel cars using cold-pressed rape-seed oil

Article 24 of the German highway code says that using cold-pressed rape seed oil in diesel vehicles does
not affect authorisation to drive such vehicles.

Accordingly, every week in Germany several hundred diesel cars are being converted to cold-pressed rape
seed oil. However, owners of such vehicles are wondering whether this will restrict their freedom of travel
in the European Union.

Can the Commission answer the following:

(cid:129) Which EU Member States refuse authorisation for diesel cars converted for the use of cold-pressed

rape seed oil?

(cid:129) Are there any plans in those Member States to do away with restrictive rules?

(cid:129) If so, when?

(cid:129) If not, why not?

(cid:129) What action has the Commission taken hitherto to ensure that standard rules apply for the

registration of cars powered by rape seed oil which permit cross-border travel?

(cid:129) What action has the Commission taken to promote the use of rape seed oil as a substitute for diesel?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2001)

There is at present no Member State in which it is possible to obtain type approval for a diesel vehicle
running on rape-seed oil.

Rape-seed oil is one of the methyl esters and can be used as an extender or replacement for diesel fuel.
Sunflower, palm, soya or cooking oils or animal fats can be used in the same way. Some types of new cars
may be designed to be fuelled with diesel containing a low proportion of methyl ester, specifically for
some markets such as France, where methyl esters are added to diesel fuel. However, motor vehicle
manufacturers are rather cautious about the use of methyl esters as a fuel for diesel vehicles.

Compared to (cid:145)pure(cid:146) diesel fuel, the use of methyl esters can lead to higher deposit formation in an engine,
greater deterioration of engine seals and other elastomer materials, and to increased corrosion, since
methyl esters are hygroscopic.

It has also been found that emissions of nitrogen oxides in vehicles using methyl esters are higher than
when pure diesel fuel is used.

C 318 E/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.11.2001

If an owner runs his diesel vehicle on methyl ester fuels such as rape-seed oil, that does not invalidate the
type approval for that vehicle, as the manufacturer has no means of monitoring the choice of fuel in the
case of vehicles which have already been registered. Responsibility for the correct running of vehicles lies
with the owner. However, the authorities in the Member States are responsible for ensuring the proper use
of methyl esters in vehicles.

The cross-border movement of vehicles, however, is not thereby restricted. A vehicle which has filled up
with rape-seed oil in, for instance, Germany can continue to travel to another Member State and fill up
there with normal diesel fuel.

the Commission(cid:146)s Motor Vehicle Emissions Group (MVEG).

The intention is for the problem of using methyl esters in diesel fuels to be discussed under the annual
work plan of
If appropriate, specific
requirements may be drawn up for emission limits, and hence related requirements for vehicles using
rape-seed oil or any other type of methyl ester. Specifications may have to be devised for diesel fuels
containing methyl esters.

If such requirements are considered necessary, the emission directives will be adapted as soon as possible,
in order to extend the scope of the European type approval for motor vehicles to include the use of new
fuels such as methyl esters.

For nearly 20 years, the Community(cid:146)s research and development programmes have been intensively
promoting biofuels, including rape-seed oil. More than half of all projects involving the production and use
of rape-seed oil have received Community funding. These programmes have thus contributed greatly to the
success of the forthcoming market launch of biodiesel.

The Commission is currently preparing a Communication on biofuels containing a proposal for a Directive
on the introduction of biofuels. This directive is still at the initial stage of preparation, but rape-seed oil as
a diesel substitute will play a major role in it.

Furthermore, the Commission has recently published a call for tenders for a study into the overall
environmental effects of different future vehicle fuels/concepts. This study will concentrate on transport
crossing the borders and will include concepts aimed at meeting the climate change threat while also
improving the situation concerning other environmental problems or at least not jeopardising the benefits
already achieved.

(2001/C 318 E/162)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0910/01

by Luis Berenguer Fuster (PSE) to the Commission

(28 March 2001)

Subject: Entry barriers on the Spanish power generation market identified by the national competition

authority

The report issued in Spain by the national Anti-Trust Commission (TDC) in the case concerning the
merger of Endesa and Iberdrola probes in detail into the entry barriers existing in the Spanish electricity
industry, namely: the risk stemming from regulation, isolation, the existence of strategic assets, excessive
concentration, vertical integration, and costs of transition to competition (CTCs). As a result of all these
factors, the Spanish electricity market is largely unassailable.

In the section on CTCs, the TDC points out that they could reduce the number of new firms entering the
market and gives two reasons. Firstly, because of CTCs, the pool prices bear no relation to reality, and the
real costs are consequently not passed on to the market. Secondly, the inflexibility resulting from the price
ceiling increases the risk to firms entering the market as far as recouping their investment is concerned,
because the ceiling (Ptas 6 per kWh) is applied indiscriminately.

Does the Commission share the TDC(cid:146)s view of the Spanish electricity industry?