European vehicle group CARS 21 has announced a new ten year plan which it claims needs to be a blueprint for the continent's automotive industry.

According to the organisation, governments and car manufacturers need to take some concrete steps soon to improve the standard of emissions-reducing technology.

It also calls for the promotion of alternative fuels to bring down the emissions from vehicles in Europe, with technologies such as fuel cells and hybrid cars currently set to be the main sources of such reductions.

"Today's recommendations will contribute to a vibrant and dynamic European automotive industry, which produces and sells clean and safe cars world-wide," commented CARS 21 vice president Günter Verheugen.

In addition to these aims, the group suggests that the European Commission brings forward proposals to cut light and heavy-duty vehicles' emissions.

In the long-term, CARS 21 set out in its plan its belief that hydrogen will have an increasing importance in the automotive industry, primarily through the development of fuel cell technology.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd