13.02.2007

CO2 emissions to be cut

The European Commission finally unveiled plans to cut CO2 emissions on light commercial vehicles whilst retaining its longstanding target of achieving an average 120g/km by 2012.

The Commission will propose legislation, focusing on mandatory reductions of the emissions of CO2 to reach the objective of 130 g/km for the average new car fleet by means of improvements in vehicle motor technology.

Additional measures - such as the introduction of efficiency requirements, air conditioning systems, compulsory tyre pressure monitors and maximum tyre rolling resistance limits - will ensure a further reduction to 120g/km.

The Commission has also included strict proposals for a reduction in emissions from vans, announcing the potential for reduction to 175g/km CO2 by 2012 and 160g/km by 2015.

Manufacturers are also invited to sign up to an EU code of good practice on car marketing and advertising, and encourage member states to base car taxation on CO2 emissions. The Commission said it would propose legislation by the end of 2007 or mid-2008 at the latest.

The European Automobile Manufacturer's Association (ACEA) says that these proposals are not the most effective way to fight climate change, and considers them unbalanced and damaging to the European economy in terms of wealth, employment and growth potential.

Environmentalists have criticised the Commission’s proposal to allow measures undertaken by other stakeholders - the so-called Integrated Approach - to count towards the car industry target instead of putting the full burden on car manufacturers to make the cut to 120 g/km.