THE CONCEPT OF UNIFIED SYSTEM OF ROAD VEHICLES ENVIRONMENTAL LABELLING

Abstract

Problem. The growing propagation of multiple and inconsistent vehicle Access Restriction Schemes, including Low-Emission Zones, is creating extraordinary fragmentation of the European continent`s transport infrastructure access rules, where road transport becoming increasingly expensive, inconvenient, and linked to superfluous barriers, inhibiting economic development and interregional ties. The abovementioned substantiate a strong need for a unified system of road vehicles environmental labelling as a crucial element of any Low-Emission Zone regulation framework as well as environmental marketing and customer decision-making influence in favour of environmentally-friendly vehicles choice. Goal. The main purpose of the research is to develop a concept of unified vehicle environmental labelling to combine in a stable system past, current, and future road vehicle technologies. Methodology. The research method is based on a conceptual framework regarding road vehicle environmental labelling data structure needed to support environmental marketing and management of vehicle access to infrastructure in view of an analysis of positive and negative experience directly in the field, the relevant determinants and driving factors, as well as other related issues. Results. The research gives systems analysis of worldwide experience in the field of road vehicles environmental labelling with emphasise on low-emission zones access differentiation. It is studied many aspects in order to analyse positive and negative experience, including low emission zones faults or low efficiency in reducing air pollution. Key factors lead to faults of low-emission zones or its low efficiency in many cases are identified. Originality and practical value. The proposed concept of unified vehicle environmental labelling not only combine in a stable system past, current, and future technologies, and not only technologically neutral but also join on a unified basis, in a unified global system, vehicles developed, approved and produced under incompatible emission standards in different regions of the world.