11. Stresses that ICTs could improve road transport and can do more to facilitate the use of safer, smarter and greener cars in Europe; emphasises the role of the Digital Agenda, which should prioritise the environmental potential of smart cars and smart roads and RD pilot projects for V2V and V2R devices;

On the other hand, the scheme's direct positive effects of favouring the use of environmentally friendly electric cars are reinforced by indirect benefits generated by the publication of trial results and studies This will reduce obstacles related to the use of electric cars and their market penetration is likely to further increase.

With a view to ensuring a smooth transition, your rapporteur is proposing that this derogation should be retained under the Euro 5 step for vehicles designed to fulfil specific social needs, e.g. rescue, emergency or recovery vehicles, vehicles used to transport disabled persons, vehicles used to provide public services and non-off-road family vehicles designed for more than six occupants in addition to the driver.

mode of travel used (e.g. promotion of energy-efficient vehicles, energy-efficient use of vehicles including tyre pressure adjustment schemes, energy efficiency devices and add-on devices for vehicles, fuel additives which improve energy efficiency, high-lubricity oils and low-resistance tyres);

extends the scope of the Directive to road transport operators using vehicles with maximum authorised weights (MAWs) exceeding 3,5 tonnes, subject to a specific derogation for undertakings using vehicles with MAWs between 3,5 and 6 tonnes for local, short-distance haulage; lays down more stringent requirements with regard to good repute, namely that this condition is not or is no longer satisfied, in particular, where the operator has been convicted of serious offences against certain rules relating to transport, including offences relating to rules for the protection of the environment and other rules concerning professional liability ...[+++]; increases the amounts which must be available to the undertaking to fulfil the requirements relating to financial standing: the undertaking must have available capital and reserves of at least ECU 9 000 when only one vehicle is used and ECU 5 000 for each additional vehicle, existing undertakings must fulfil the requirement of financial standing two years after the deadline for the implementation of the Directive; makes provision for a more detailed examination procedure and the updating and extension of the list of examination subjects, introduces a harmonised minimum level of knowledge required in each subject and retains different examinations depending on whether the applicant wishes to carry out national or international transport operations; retains the measure laid down by Directive 96/26/EC on permanent exemption from examination for applicants who provide proof of at least five years' practical experience, but adds the condition that applicants may be subject to a test, the arrangements for which shall be determined by the Member States in accordance with the list set out in the Directive; as a transitional measure, allows a Member State to require any natural person who holds a certificate of professional competence issued by another Member State when the holder was normally resident in the first Member State to p ...

The second role is the administrative fleet role, which encompasses equipment ranging from standard, commercial, light vehicles to more complicated equipment, such as the equipment required for construction engineering, materiel handling, airfield and aircraft ground support, snow and ice clearing, and heavy transport.