Historically, European transport policy has been based on an approach of modal shift from road to other modes, rail in particular, the ACEA paper noted. Modes may be in competition for certain journeys or for transporting certain goods, but generally speaking the various modes are complementary.

The report advised that, based on experience from recent decades, the European Commission should revise its modal-shift approach and that future policy should aim to improve the efficiency of each transport mode and the transport system as whole, in order to match the evolving needs of people and businesses.

The association also asserted that Europe should approach its infrastructure investment policy based on making the system as a whole more efficient, instead of basing it on individual modes of transport. Passenger cars are a key part of the transport ecosystem – individual transportation is, and will remain, an efficient solution because of the flexibility it provides, ACEA wrote.

On the emissions side, the association pointed out that implementation of carbon dioxide reduction targets for cars, vans and heavy-duty vehicles does not depend solely on the automotive industry. Indeed, the roll-out of the required infrastructure for [electric vehicle] charging and refueling alternatively-powered vehicles is an essential component, requiring major investments, ACEA stated.

ACEA recommended the commission use the opportunity of the upcoming revision to the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive to set binding targets for member states to roll out alternative fuel infrastructure.

The paper also pushes for more investments in road infrastructure, noting that in recent years, most of the EU funding for infrastructure projects has focused on rail networks. Transport infrastructure policy should not be based on individual modes of transport but rather on making transport as a whole more efficient, the association said. Europe should concentrate on projects that promote the most appropriate transport links.

Doing Deals

Kl ber Lubrication acquired Traxit International GmbH, a wire drawing lubricant company from Schwelm in Germany. The takeover includes all of Traxits assets and international subsidiaries.

Fuchs came to an agreement with three Switzerland-based companies, Aseol Suisse AG, Laveba and S. Affolter, to have them distribute its lubricants throughout the country.

Total and state-owned Angolan oil company Sonangol came to an agreement for the latter to distribute Totals lubricants in Angola.

Lubrications Engineers South Africa and Umuzi Engineers agreed for the latter to distribute Lubrication Engineers lubricants in Eswatini and South Africa.

Chevron and Akwa Group, an energy company based in Casablanca, Morocco, reached an agreement to create an African lubes hub in Morocco, the companies announced late last month.

On Site

Shanxi LuAn Taihang Lubricants Co. Ltd opened the worlds first coal to liquids plant in Shanxi Province, China, using Chevrons proprietary Isodewaxing technology.

Personnel Column

KPI Bridge Oil, a U.S. marine lubricants trader, appointed Patrick Hoe to be the managing director of its Denmark operations.

Amy Marlyse Plato is the new executive vice president general counsel of U.S. refiner Motiva, a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco.ο

Correction
In the November issue, we wrote ExxonMobils MIL-PRF-23699 standard, whereas that should have read just MIL-PRF-23699.