Green innovation has been cited as the way forward for reducing carbon emissions. The EU is encouraging the car industry to lead the way into the post-oil era with electric cars.

Starting Point: Green cars

It's silent and it doesn't pollute.   This is the electric car.

Is it the future   of the European car industry?

Antonio Tajani, the European   Commissioner for Industry, thinks it is.

We know the potential of decarbonisation   of electric vehicles

and we want to start numerous actions   to promote this technology.

In the EU, one-quarter of C02 emissions   come from transport.

Electric cars mean less C02, which is   one way to fight against climate change.

In every Member State,   things are moving.

Awareness increased   with the Copenhagen conference

and the political agreements at the end   of 2008 on environmental matters.

Today we're expecting initiatives,   in particular, on industrial policy,

concerning development   towards the post-oil era.

Environmental protection isn't   the only reason for this initiative.

In October 2008 an unprecedented   financial crisis shook the planet.

Since then, industrial production   in Europe has fallen by more than 8%.

Producing over 18 million vehicles   per year,

the EU is the largest car producer   in the world.

The crisis hasn't spared   this essential industry for Europe.

Developing green vehicles was one of the   priorities of the Spanish EU Presidency.

with the aim of presenting   a common action plan in May 2010.

that is trying to solve several different   problems that are affecting Europe,

like the competitiveness   of the industry sector itself,

contamination in big cities,   dependency on oil.

the EU hopes European car-makers   won't be left behind.

The USA, Japan and China have already   made advances in ecological cars.

is expected to grow from 800 million   to 1.6 billion.

so that our manufacturers,   in partnership with others in the world,

can be at the cutting edge   of these developments,

given that the electric car will be at the   heart of citizens' mobility in urban areas.

In April, the Commission put forward   proposals to increase charging points -

an essential element   in using electric cars.

This document allowed the EP   to present and vote on a resolution

calling for a European standard   for electric cars by 2011.

The Member States should meet   to adopt an action programme

Currently there is   no European legislation on green cars.

It will be for the Commission   to present a draft European directive.