COM(2010)0280

PURPOSE: to ensure the compulsory application in the EU of Regulation No 100 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe for the approval of motor vehicles with regard to electric safety.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: given the importance of reducing carbon emissions from road transport, electric cars (hybrid and pure electric) may well be a viable alternative to traditional internal combustion engines using fossil fuels. Pursuant to the new Framework Directive (Directive 2007/46/EC), the legislative framework for type-approval of motor vehicles has been extended to cover all road vehicles. Thus, it includes also alternative power train vehicles, such as full electric and hybrid cars. The proposal aims at ensuring that all electric vehicles marketed in Europe are constructed according to a common safety standard thereby protecting vehicle users from getting into contact with high voltage parts of the vehicle. UNECE Regulation No. 100 sets out safety requirements for the approval of vehicles equipped with an electric power train (full electric and hybrid vehicles).

LEGAL BASE: Article 34(2) of Directive 2007/46/EC establishing a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles. Action at EU level will better achieve the objectives of the proposal because it will avoid fragmentation of the internal market which would otherwise arise and will enhance the safety and environmental performance of vehicles.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

CONTENT: mandating UNECE Regulation No. 100 would ensure simplification of the approval procedure through harmonised requirements on electric safety. There is a broad support for the proposal, since harmonised test requirements will simplify the approval of electric vehicles. Indeed, it will replace divergent approval practices of some Member States and hence, will result in substantial savings for manufacturers.

The main points of the proposal are as follows:

Regulation No 100 series of amendments 01 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe shall be applied on a compulsory basis for the purpose of EC whole vehicle type-approval in accordance with Articles 6 and 9 of Directive 2007/46/EC and EC type-approval of a vehicle with regard to electric safety as of 1 January 2013; Regulation No 100 series of amendments 01 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe shall be applied on a compulsory basis for the purpose of registration, sale and entry into service of new vehicles as of 1 January 2014; Regulation No 100, series of amendments 00 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe shall be applied on a compulsory basis for the purpose of EC whole vehicle type-approval in accordance with Articles 6 and 9 of Directive 2007/46/EC and EC type-approval of a vehicle with regard to electric safety as of 1 January 2011; Regulation No 100 series of amendments 00 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe shall be applied on a compulsory basis for the purpose of registration, sale and entry into service of new vehicles as of 1 January 2012.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: the proposal has no implication for the EU budget.

COM(2010)0280
EUR-Lex