The world’s top manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks and engines have called for closer cooperation among European, Japanese and North American regulators to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption associated with road transport.
Meeting in Brussels, the chief executives of over 10 global truck and engine manufacturers discussed key issues facing the industry, including fuel efficiency improvements, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, safety, diesel fuel specifications, and issues related to heavy-duty engine and vehicle regulation and certification.
The industry leaders also explored the potential of intelligent transport systems (ITS) to further reduce emissions and improve road transport, according to a statement by the European Automobiles Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).
Chaired by Martin Lundstedt, chairman of the ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board and president and CEO of Volvo Group, this was the chief executives’ 13th meeting to discuss global issues facing commercial vehicle manufacturers.
“Heavy-duty engine and vehicle manufacturers are making clear progress in exhaust emission reductions and fuel efficiency improvements with sustained efforts. Accelerating efforts aimed at harmonisation of test procedures and standards are needed to further advance the global objective of greenhouse gas reductions,” Lundstedt said.
A key issue raised at the gathering was the global harmonisation of diesel fuel specifications and regulations, the ACEA said. Also discussed was a proposal for the introduction of globally consistent fuel efficiency measurement metrics and test procedures for heavy-duty vehicles.
“Trans-national/trans-regional cooperative efforts between industry and governments toward global harmonisation can serve to promote improvements for customers and the global environment,” the ACEA said.
Besides manufacturers, delegates of the ACEA, the US-based Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA), and the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) were also present at the meeting.
