Library

EU Green Deal – A key opportunity to address climate change in a comprehensive manner

UPEI, Europe’s Independent Fuel Suppliers, adheres to the initiative and welcomes the communication emphasis on creating synergies across sectors and making a consistent use of all policy levers to deliver on Europe’s climate ambition.

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Open letter on sector coupling and integration by power-to-X

On 2 December, the first working day of the new European Commission, UPEI has sent an open letter, co-signed by 19 partners, to Commissioners for Climate, Energy and Transport, as well as relevant officials and MEPS, regarding sector coupling and integration by power-to-X.

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UPEI Summary Report: Conference "Low carbon mobility – what’s in the policy toolbox?"

On 7 November, the UPEI Conference "Low carbon mobility – what’s in the policy toolbox?" took place in Brussels. Panellists and participants discussed the policy instruments providing for the effective deployment of low carbon solutions in the road transport sector, while ensuring consumers’ acceptance.

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UPEI Press Release: UPEI 2050 vision

Answering to the European Commission call for feedback on the long-term climate strategy, UPEI, representing Europe’s independent fuel suppliers, launches its 2050 vision: short- and long-term recommendations for a carbon neutral society.

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UPEI Statement: Urban Vehicle Access Regulations

UPEI welcomes the study on Urban Vehicle Access Regulations Schemes (UVARs) published in September 2017, and would like to share further views ahead of the publication by the European Commission of a non-binding guidance document on UVARs.

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UPEI Press Release: Conference "Future fuels in Europe - The Finnish perspective"

On April 4, the UPEI Conference "Future fuels in Europe - The Finnish perspective" took place in Helsinki. Panellists and participants exchanged views on the Finnish strategy to reach European and global climate objectives, based on a mix of solutions including electricity, biogas and renewable liquid fuels. What is the perfect mix of low carbon technologies allowing to reach emission reductions while ensuring reliable supply and affordable costs to consumers? This question resonates further as Finland is preparing to take over the EU Presidency in July.

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UPEI Feedback: Evaluation of the Directive on the Deployment of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Roadmap

UPEI welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Roadmap for the evaluation of the Directive on the Deployment of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure (DAFI).

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UPEI Press Release: Deal on Post 2020 CO2 Targets for Heavy Duty Vehicles

UPEI praises the introduction of a clear mandate for the European Commission to assess the full life-cycle emissions from heavy-duty vehicles (HDV) at EU level in the deal sealed by the European institutions on 18 February.

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UPEI Press Release: Nomination of Secretary General

UPEI, the Brussels based association representing Europe’s independent fuel suppliers is pleased to announce the appointment of Cécile Nourigat as Secretary General.

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UPEI Press Release: Long - Term Emissions Reduction

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UPEI Press Release: Post 2020 CO2 Targets for Heavy Duty Vehicles

On 14 November, the European Parliament adopted its negotiating mandate on the Commission’s proposal for CO2 standards for new heavy-duty vehicles. UPEI welcomes the initiative to introduce CO2 standards for the sector for the first time but fears that the position of the European Parliament may undermine broader efforts to cut transport emissions.

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Joint Press Release: The shipping industry and the European Independent fuel suppliers welcome the European Parliament’s support to incentivize the uptake of low-carbon and carbon-free alternative fuels and to remove disparities in energy taxation

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UPEI Press Release: UPEI appoints new President

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Joint Press Release: Fuel labelling: Information to help consumers and operators choose right fuel now published

Brussels, 21 June 2018 - EU Directive 2014/94/EU on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure requires EU member states and EEA states to improve the information given to consumers who are faced with a choice of fuels for their vehicle. To that end, a CEN standard (*) has drawn up common symbols, or ‘fuel identifiers’, that will be placed on new vehicles and fuel pumps. These identifiers must be in place by October this year, and will start to be increasingly visible in the run up to this date.

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UPEI Statement: Post 2020 CO2 Targets for Cars and Vans

UPEI recognises the importance of all measures that can contribute to meeting the EUs commitments under the Paris Agreement, including the need for stringent targets to cut CO2 emissions of new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The setting of these targets should be coherent with other EU legislation promoting alternative fuels and should be based on an objective analysis of the economic and environmental sustainability of all technologies as well as their potential for future innovation.

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Joint position on the applicability of synthetic fuels to heating in the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II)

The undersigned associations, ECFD, Eurofuel, FuelsEurope and UPEI, representing the supply chain of liquid fuel products for heating would like to raise EU policy-makers’ attention to specific elements in the future Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), which may impede the development of innovative liquid fuels which reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the heating sector.

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UPEI Statement RED II

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UPEI & ECFD Statement: Driving times and periods - Regulation No 561/2006

Guaranteeing reasonable driving times as well as regular breaks and rest periods for drivers are essential prerequisites to secure European roads from easily avoidable accidents linked to tiredness and reduced attention span.

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UPEI Press Release: UPEI elects new Presiding Board

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UPEI Press Release: Heating with Liquid Fuels

Heating with Liquid Fuels: Part of the solution for an affordable decarbonisation
Four associations representing the whole supply chain join forces to inform EU audiences about oil and liquid fuels for heating and their potential to reach EU’s energy and climate policy goals.

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UPEI Statement: Setting the framework for renewables fuel in transport and heating

Since the publication of the proposal to recast the Renewable Energy Directive in November 2016 UPEI has been following the adoption process supporting a strong framework for the uptake of renewables across sectors in Europe.
UPEI believes that the Commission’s proposal could be optimised to ensure that renewable fuels benefit from a strong, yet fair, legislative framework for the coming decade.

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UPEI Statement: Fuel Price Comparison (FPC)

UPEI, the voice of Europe’s independent fuel suppliers, believes that the interest of the consumer is primordial in drawing up a common methodology for a fuel price comparison system. The system must demonstrate added value. It should be introduced in such a way as to avoid confusion and unnecessary financial and administrative burden on the 100,000 plus retail stations across the EU that will be required to implement it.

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UPEI & ECFD Statement: Recommendations for the Revision of Directive 2003/59/EC on the Qualification Requirements for Drivers of Road Vehicles

ECFD and UPEI welcome the European Commission’s proposal to review and update the EU CPC Directive. The proposed text reflects the key concerns of the professional tank drivers’ as highlighted throughout the evaluation process.

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UPEI & ECFD Statement: Setting the framework for renewables fuel in transport and heating

UPEI and ECFD welcome the European Commission’s Clean Energy Package and in particular the proposal for the recast of the Renewable Energy Directive and the draft regulation on Governance of the Energy Union. UPEI and ECFD believe that these proposals should be strengthened to ensure that they are inclusive and balanced, built on realistic assumptions and keep the functioning of the internal market at their core.

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UPEI Statement: Joint Letter with ACEA, ACEM and FuelsEurope on the introduction of fuel identifiers in the EU

In a joint letter, UPEI together with ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers), ACEM (Motorcycle Industry in Europe) and FuelsEurope (European based refiners and fuel suppliers) call upon EU member states and the European Commission to help take the necessary actions to allow for the introduction of common fuel ‘identifiers’ in a consistent and harmonised way.  

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UPEI Statement: Lowering Emissions in Transport

UPEI welcomes the European Union’s efforts to bring down emissions in the transport sector in its low emission mobility strategy, and the concrete proposals of the recently published Winter Package. 

UPEI stresses independent fuel suppliers’ solid track record in reducing GHG emissions through the supply of alternative fuels and calls on the European Union to create the framework whereby all fuels in Europe’s transport fuel mix can be recognised for their contribution to lowering emissions.  This should be based on objective analysis of the sustainability (full lifecycle) of each powertrain.  Implications with regard to security of supply, competitiveness and consumers should also be assessed in keeping with the EU’s overall objectives for the Energy Union.  This is essential in order to preserve European assets and jobs whilst moving to a cleaner society. 

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UPEI Statement: Graphical Expression for Consumer Information on Fuel / Vehicle Compatibility

UPEI, the voice of Europe’s independent fuel suppliers, welcomes the new EN 16942 European Standard that introduces harmonised graphic symbols for liquid and gaseous fuels to be displayed on vehicles (and manuals) and at dispensers and refueling points.  This measure is designed to provide consumers with information on the compatibility of their vehicles with the growing number of fuels on the market.  “This is an excellent example of how, when policy makers and economic operators work together, we can bring practical and cost effective solutions” commented UPEI President, Thierry De Meulder. 

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UPEI Statement: Evaluation of Directive 2009/119/EC

Europe’s Independent Fuel Suppliers welcome the EU Consultation on the Evaluation of Directive 2009/119/EC imposing an obligation on Member States to maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products, believing that stakeholders and citizens’ views and suggestions are crucial for future legislation.

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UPEI Press Release: A European strategy for low-emission mobility

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UPEI Press Release: MEPs' move to empower consumers welcomed by Europe's independent fuel suppliers

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UPEI Position Paper: Renewable Energy Directive II - post 2020

UPEI, the voice of Europe’s independent fuel suppliers, calls for the RED II to provide a clear framework for the further promotion of renewable energy. It should adopt an inclusive approach, allowing all market players to contribute, including independent fuel suppliers, predominantly SMEs. This requires policies which facilitate solutions that are sustainable, technology neutral, empower the consumer, build on existing infrastructure and are not heavily dependent on subsidies. 

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UPEI Statement: Draft EP Report on EU Strategy on Heating and Cooling

UPEI welcomes the EU Strategy on Heating and Cooling and believes that this creates opportunities to stimulate further developments towards greater efficiency gains in the sector across Europe. However, it is important that a technology neutral approach is ensured in order for all modern heating technologies to play their part. UPEI believes that policies should be fair and based on performance, rather than favouring certain technologies and solutions. 

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UPEI Statement: Energy Union Governance – The need for a balanced and proportionate framework

Since the publication of the Framework Strategy for a Resilient Energy Union in February 2015, UPEI has consistently supported the Commission’s work to roll out its Strategy. UPEI believes that having a well-designed Governance Framework is indeed of paramount importance, especially when it comes to setting a positive investment climate, and ultimately ensuring the success of the Energy Union as a whole.

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UPEI Statement: The role of heating oil in a sustainable heating strategy for Europe

UPEI welcomes the Commission’s plans to propose new policy and legislative initiatives aimed at fostering energy efficiency in the heating sector in the efforts towards a lowcarbon economy. UPEI stresses in particular that being the closest to the consumer in the fuel supply sector, independent fuel suppliers are in a unique position to respond to today’s demand in the heating sector.

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UPEI Statement: Clean and Sustainable Transport

UPEI welcomes the Commission’s plans to propose new policy and legislative initiatives aimed at rendering Europe’s transport more sustainable, clean and secure, as well as the efforts invested in the transition towards a low-carbon economy in Europe. Being the closest to the consumer in the fuel supply sector, UPEI members are in a unique position to respond to today’s transport sector challenges.

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UPEI Statement: The Key Dimensions of the Energy Union

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UPEI Statement: The Energy Union Strategy

The Union of European Petroleum Independents (UPEI) welcomes the Energy Union Strategy and its aim of delivering secure, affordable and sustainable energy to Europe’s consumers. UPEI calls for competitiveness to be at the heart of the approach to achieving this goal. We support actions designed to fully integrate the European energy market and to promote energy efficiency as a key dimension of future policies. On the transition to a low carbon economy, UPEI calls for an enhanced policy dialogue which recognizes the contribution of current and future energy sources, in order to guarantee a smooth and viable transition for Europe’s households and businesses.

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Press Release: UPEI raises concern at the introduction of B8 diesel in France

UPEI wishes to raise its concern at the measures introduced by the French Government by Ministerial Order of 3 January 2015. By this Ministerial Order, the specification for diesel sold in France has been modified to increase the level of FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) to a maximum of 8% by volume. This is not in conformity with the existing EU standards and specifications for diesel fuel EN590 which set the maximum FAME content at 7% and are designed to ensure coherence throughout Europe, guaranteeing consumer protection.

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Press Release: UPEI announces new Presiding Board

UPEI is pleased to present the composition of its new Presiding Board, which took up office on 1 January 2015. President: Thierry DE MEULDER Vice Presidents: Erik DE VRIES Ivan INDRAČEK Emmanuel RIU Teresa SAYERS.

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Press Release: Energy imports in Europe are not a threat to security of supply

UPEI launched yesterday in Brussels the study “Does Dependency Equal Vulnerability? Energy Imports in Germany and Europe” at a debate organised by the Kangaroo Group in the European Parliament asking the question “Can Europe get along without importing energy”.

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UPEI Statement: Directive on the Deployment of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure

In light of the adoption by the Council of the European Union of the Directive on the Deployment of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure on 29 September, UPEI wishes to draw attention to the challenges that this legislation brings, and to confirm its intention to engage constructively with all parties to meet these challenges, whilst taking account of the cost implications and the evolution of the fuels market in Europe.

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50 Years Independents in the European Oil Industry

Speech by Mr Helmut Weisser, former UPEI President.

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