Introductory text

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 443/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars as part of the Community’s integrated approach to reduce CO₂ emissions from light-duty vehicles^f1, and in particular Article 12(4) thereof,

Whereas:

The manufacturer Daimler AG (the ‘Applicant’) submitted an application for the approval of an engine compartment encapsulation system as an innovative technology on 15 February 2013. The completeness of the application was assessed in accordance with Article 4 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 725/2011^f2. The Commission identified certain relevant information as missing in the original application and requested the Applicant to complete it. The Applicant provided the necessary information on 17 April 2013. The application was found to be complete and the period granted to the Commission for its assessment started on the day following the date of official receipt, i.e. 18 April 2013.

The application has been assessed in accordance with Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 443/2009, Implementing Regulation (EU) No 725/2011 and the Technical Guidelines for the preparation of applications for the approval of innovative technologies pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 443/2009 (the Technical Guidelines)^f3.

The application refers to an engine compartment encapsulation system which permits the reduction of heat loss after the vehicle is turned off by sealing the engine compartment and by the closing of grille openings by a radiator shutter. The stored heat yields a delayed cool-down of the powertrain. The fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions of the vehicle after restarting is decreased due to lower friction caused by the higher powertrain temperature.

The Commission finds that the information provided in the application demonstrates that the conditions and criteria referred to in Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 443/2009 and in Articles 2 and 4 of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 725/2011 have been met.

The Applicant has demonstrated that the market penetration in 2009 of engine compartment encapsulation systems of the kind described in the application did not exceed the threshold specified in Article 2(2)(a) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 725/2011. This claim is also supported by the accompanying verification report. On that basis, the Commission finds that the engine compartment encapsulation provided by the Applicant should be considered as meeting the eligibility criterion set out in Article 2(2)(a) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 725/2011.

In order to determine the CO₂ savings that the innovative technology will deliver when fitted to a vehicle, it is necessary to define the baseline vehicle against which the efficiency of the vehicle equipped with the innovative technology should be compared, as provided for in Articles 5 and 8 of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 725/2011. The Commission finds that it is appropriate to consider the eco-innovation vehicle without an engine compartment encapsulation as an appropriate baseline technology.

The Applicant has provided a comprehensive methodology for testing the CO₂ reductions. That methodology consists of roller bench tests to determine the Hot Start Benefit (HSB). That benefit occurs when the engine compartment encapsulation is implemented. It includes formulae that are consistent with the formulae described in the Technical Guidelines for the simplified approach with regard to engine compartment encapsulation. The Commission considers that the testing methodology will provide testing results that are verifiable, repeatable and comparable and that it is capable of demonstrating in a realistic manner the CO₂ emissions benefits of the innovative technology with strong statistical significance in accordance with Article 6 of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 725/2011.

Against that background the Commission finds that the Applicant has demonstrated satisfactorily that the emission reduction achieved by the innovative technology is at least 1 g CO₂/km.

Since the effects of reduced engine cooling as a result of engine compartment encapsulation are not covered by the standard test cycle referred to in Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council^f4 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 692/2008^f5, the Commission is satisfied that the engine compartment encapsulation is not covered by the standard test cycle.

The Commission notes that the verification report has been prepared by TÜV NORD Mobilität GmbH & Co. KG, which is an independent and certified body, and it supports the findings set out in the application.

Against that background, the Commission finds that no objections should be raised as regards the approval of the innovative technology in question.

Any manufacturer wishing to benefit from a reduction of its average specific CO₂ emissions for the purpose of meeting its specific emissions target by means of the CO₂ savings from the use of the innovative technology approved by this Decision should, in accordance with Article 11(1) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 725/2011, refer to this Decision in its application for an EC type-approval certificate for the vehicles concerned,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: