Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/174 of 6 February 2020 on the approval of the technology used in 12 Volt efficient alternators for use in certain passenger cars and light commercial vehicles as an innovative technology pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/631 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance)

The technology used in 12 Volt efficient alternators intended for the conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy is approved as an innovative technology within the meaning of Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2019/631, taking into account that it is not covered by the standard test procedure set out in Regulation (EU) 2017/1151 and provided that the innovative technology conforms to the following conditions: (a) it is fitted in internal combustion engine powered passenger cars (M1) and light commercial vehicles (N1); (b) it is used solely to charge the vehicle battery and to power the electrical system of the vehicle when its combustion engine is running; (c) it has an efficiency, i.e. a conversion rate from mechanical into electric power, of at least: (i) 73,8 % for petrol-fuelled vehicles other than turbo-charged; (ii) 73,4 % for turbo-charged petrol-fuelled vehicles; (iii) 74,2 % for diesel-fuelled vehicles.

1 A manufacturer may apply to a type-approval authority for certification of the CO2 savings from the use of the technology approved in accordance with Article 1 (‘the technology’) in one or several 12 Volt efficient alternators by reference to this Decision.

2 The manufacturer shall ensure that the application for the certification is accompanied by a verification report from an independent and certified body confirming that the conditions set out in Article 1 have been met.

3 Where the savings have been certified in accordance with Article 3, the manufacturer shall ensure that the certified CO2 savings and the eco-innovation code referred to in Article 4(1) are recorded in the certificates of conformity of the vehicles concerned.

1 The type-approval authority shall ensure that CO2 savings achieved from the use of the innovative technology have been determined using the methodology set out in the Annex.

2 Where a manufacturer applies for the certification of the CO2 savings from the use of the technology in more than one 12 Volt efficient alternator in relation to one vehicle version, the type-approval authority shall determine which of the 12 Volt efficient alternators tested delivers the lowest CO2 savings. That value shall be used for the purposes of paragraph 3.

3 The type-approval authority shall record the certified CO2 savings determined in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2 and the eco-innovation code referred to in Article 4(1) in the relevant type-approval documentation.

4 The type-approval authority shall record all the elements considered for the certification in a test report and keep that together with the verification report referred to in Article 2(2), and shall make that information available to the Commission on request.

5 The type-approval authority shall only certify CO2 savings, if it finds that the technology used in the 12 Volt efficient alternator or alternators comply with the conditions set out in Article 1, and if the CO2 savings achieved are 0,5 g CO2/km or higher as specified in Article 9(1)(b) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 725/2011 in the case of passenger cars or of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 427/2014 in the case of light commercial vehicles.

1 The innovative technology approved by this Decision is attributed with the eco-innovation code No 29.

2 The certified CO2 savings recorded by reference to that eco-innovation code may be taken into account for the calculation of the average specific emissions of manufacturers starting from the calendar year 2021.

This Decision shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.