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EU urged to boost uptake of alternative-fuelled vehicles

30th July 2009, Page 14
30th July 2009
Page 14
Page 14, 30th July 2009 — EU urged to boost uptake of alternative-fuelled vehicles
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GUIllANO GIOVANNINI, sates and marketing product director at Iveco, says that the EU needs to encourage the uptake of alternative-fuelled vehicles in order to boost widespread availability and lower costs.

He suggests the EU could adopt a French scheme that means the additional weight of batteries or ONG fuel tanks is not included within the vehicle's gross weight, thus helping operators maximise payload and eliminating a drawback, particularly at the lighter end of the weight range.

It would, he says, be "no-cost legislation that helps [the vehicles] spread".

He adds: 'France has set the trend. However, there is no clear policy or strategy from the EU. "As an industry, we are always in favour of incentives, but I prefer this kind of political decision where the effect is long-lasting and the customer is given a definite framework."

Iveco, which offers parallel hybrids on the Daily and Eurocargo, an electric Daily, and CNG engines on the Daily, Eurocargo and Stralis, believes that clear direction is needed in order to focus CVmakers' efforts.

Giovannini continues: "You can see that all manufacturers are trying to find their own way, but equally, they are also trying to keep all their options open.

"To find the right direction In the long-term is difficult and expensive."

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Organisations: European Union

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