Low-carbon economy speeding-up auto industry restructuring
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14/12/2009 17:28
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| Improving fuel economy of traditional internal combustion engines makes vehicles green. |
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Pony
The United Nations Climate Change Conference, being held in Copenhagen from the 7th to the 18th of December, attracts environment ministers and other government officials from 192 countries, focusing on climate change issues to strengthen global co-operation.
As a responsible big country, China's State Council announced on 25 November that the country would voluntarily reduce its carbon dioxide emission per unit of GDP (gross domestic product) in 2020 by 40 to 45% compared with the level of 2005.
Carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles are a major contributor to climate change. Ground transport including automobiles accounts for around 17% of total global emissions of carbon dioxide, according to a report published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Given such a high proportion, the car industry should take corresponding responsibility.
As for China, the average carbon dioxide emissions rate for a current vehicle was 200 g CO2/km. "As mentioned above, China's promise on its carbon dioxide emissions cut target is expected to accelerate restructuring of automotive products." Chen Guangzu, a member of China National Auto Industry Advisory Committee, told reporters.
China's emissions cut target accelerating auto industry restructuring
It is difficult for China's car industry to reduce its carbon dioxide emission in 2020 by 40 to 45% compared with the level of 2005. As a result, the structure of automotive products will have to research and develop more energy saving and environmental products based on the current situation.
The goal of improving environmental protection performance of vehicles can be realized by many efforts, such as improving fuel economy of traditional internal combustion engines, decreasing air resistance through design amelioration, and being equipped with greener tyres. Take rolling resistance for example. A research disclosed that carbon dioxide emissions resulting from rolling resistance account for 20% of all carbon dioxide emissions of a car. Fuel consumption will be cut by 1% once tire rolling resistance reduced by 3-5%.
New-energy cars contribute a little to meet carbon emission goal in the near future
In terms of energy saving and environmental protection, new energy vehicles enjoy natural advantages. Thanks to Chinese government's stimulus policies, new energy vehicles can be accepted by more consumers, which help decrease carbon dioxide emissions. However, green vehicles canˇt be pinned high hope considering bottlenecks in the development of new energy vehicles need to be broken through.
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Chinaˇs BYD displayed its E6 full electric sedan, which takes seven to nine hours to fully charge and has a 250-mile range. |
Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, a European and global leader in top-level strategy consulting, made an optimistic estimation on future of green vehicles in China. Even so, it is expected to gain only 15% market share. In other words, the realization of carbon dioxide cut target can't be mainly relied on new energy vehicles.
In addition, Chinese government released the carbon dioxide goal when new energy vehicles firstly come into auto insiders' minds. "Green vehicle is not absolute environment protection throughout its lifecycle of energy," said an auto insider.
At present, thermal power plants provides about 70% of China's electricity output. As is well known, thermal power stations result in high amounts of carbon dioxide. If the production phase of energy is taken into consideration, the carbon dioxide emissions rate for a new energy vehicle is about 120g CO2/km.
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