Introduction

Background

The automotive sector is at a historic turning point in the coming decade. First of all, production and trade patterns are shifting. While the European market is considered mature, several third markets are growing fast, changing the trade flows and the automotive value chain. The intense competitive pressure is growing further and EU companies are increasingly being challenged in their home market, while developing opportunities in third markets. Secondly, the climate agenda becomes more urgent and even more is expected from technological progress. To meet long-term greenhouse gas emissions targets as well as air quality objectives, the internal combustion engine needs to be further improved, being accompanied by the development and progressive implementation of breakthrough technologies, such as electrified propulsion.

The European Union legislation sets mandatory emission reduction targets for new vehicles. This legislation is the cornerstone of the EU’s strategy to improve the fuel economy and lower polluting emissions of vehicles. From 2020 onwards vehicles need to be compliant with the emission targets under Real Driving conditions (World-Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure in 2020), i.e. able to meet Euro 6 under all operational situations, setting a clear incentive for car manufacturers to meet the EU legislation on fuel economy.

Objective

It is the objective of the REWARD project to develop highly fuel efficient diesel engines, to improve exhaust gas treatment systems, to advance on board monitoring and diagnostics in order to meet (forthcoming) EU-legislation on emission standards and fuel economy under real driving conditions. At the same time, REWARD will contribute to the competitiveness of the European automotive industry by enhancing the ability of its partners to successfully market substantial volumes of high quality cars (including sub-systems) with attractive designs, driving behaviour and fuel economy.


Events