EUCAR Recommends European 8th Research Framework Program Make Sustainable Mobility a Priority

http://ee2020.wordpress.com/2010/04/24/eucar-recommends-european-8th-research-framework-program-make-sustainable-mobility-a-priority/

EUCAR Recommends European 8th Research Framework Program Make Sustainable Mobility a Priority
aprill 24, 2010 · Lisa kommentaar

The European Council for Automotive R&D (EUCAR) is recommending that the EU 8thResearch Framework Programme (FP8) covering the period 2014 to 2020 declare sustainable mobility a key priority for research funding and further encourage collaborative research in the road transport and automotive sector.

This will ensure reaping maximum benefit from the work started within the 7thProgramme and sustain progress towards sustainable mobility, EUCAR said.

EUCAR published the recommendations in the paper “FP8—Priorities for Transport”. The paper is EUCAR’s initial contribution to what will be a multi-stakeholder discussion between the Commission, Member States, European Parliament, industry and academia to define Europe’s R&D focus up to 2020.

The EUCAR paper also relates directly to the Europe 2020 strategy, which calls for a European “Innovation Union”, the Commission’s Strategy for Clean and Efficient Vehicles and the upcoming White Paper on the Future of Transport.

EUCAR says that six topics encompass the research needs for the automotive sector:

* Urban mobility and transport including traffic management and logistics;
* Optimization of internal combustion engines and use of alternative fuels;
* Electrification of the vehicle;
* Safety applications in cooperative systems;
* Improved materials and lightweight structures; and
* Ecological and efficient manufacturing.

These automotive research needs should be considered as an essential element of an integrated road transport system, complemented by efficient interfaces, thereby targeting the optimization of the overall mobility of users in the transport system.

In particular in the automotive sector, with long lead times, economies of scale and the increasing importance of cooperative systems, collaborative research at the European level adds value by bringing a wide spectrum of experts together to work on pre-competitive research. A long term partnership between the automotive industry and decision makers in the Framework Programme will be essential to realize optimal gains in road transport.

—FP8—Priorities for Transport

EUCAR made the following preliminary recommendations on the structure and design of the Eighth Framework Programme, to initiate and contribute to further debate:

* Structure the Eighth Framework Programme to include coherent research themes, in which mobility and transport is included as one of the priority themes.
* Allocate a significant level of R&D funding to the mobility and transport priority theme, recognizing road transport and automotive research as a primary topic within that theme.
* Ensure consistent cooperation between the EU and Member States to enhance the effectiveness of research activities in the European Research Area.
* Embed solutions for administrative burdens in research funding into the structure of the Eighth Framework Programme.
* Continue to consult actively with industry to ensure its optimum contribution to the development and execution of Eighth Framework Programme.

EUCAR was established on 27 May 1994, evolving from the previous Joint Research Committee (JRC) of the European motor vehicle manufacturers. EUCAR facilitates and coordinates pre-competitive research and development projects and participates in a wide range of collaborative European R&D programs. The European automobile manufacturers are the largest private investors in R&D in Europe with over €26 billion investments per annum, or 5% of turnover. EUCAR members are BMW, DAF, Daimler, Fiat, Ford Europe, GM/Opel, Porsche, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault, Scania, Volkswagen Group and Volvo. EUCAR is closely connected to ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.

Green Car Congress