EC under fire as it launches consultation on cars and CO2 regulatory proposals
Fri 18 May 2007
View all news
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the implementation of its proposals to reduce CO2 emissions from passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles. The proposals have come under attack from the European carmakers association, Acea, and - from a different perspective - by an influential committee of MEPs.
The Commission is currently evaluating different options for the design of the legislative framework to reach its proposed 130 g/km objective through vehicle technology. The consultation seeks to gather views on the implementation of the Commission’s proposed strategy as well as to receive stakeholder inputs and ideas on the possible options available for designing the future legislative framework. The Commission says it would welcome further input for its impact assessment in terms of costs and benefits relating to the implementation of the various elements of the strategy proposed.
In its February 2007 announcement, the Commission proposed that it would...
“...pursue an integrated approach with a view to reaching the EU objective of 120 g/km CO2 by 2012. This can be achieved through a combination of EU and Member States action. The Commission will propose a legislative framework, if possible in 2007 and at latest by mid- 2008, to achieve the EU objective of 120 g/km CO2, 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, and a further reduction of 10 g/km of CO2, or equivalent if technically necessary, by other technological improvements and by an increased use of bio-fuels, specifically:
- setting minimum efficiency requirements for air-conditioning systems;
- the compulsory fitting of accurate tyre pressure monitoring systems;
- setting maximum tyre rolling resistance limits in the EU for tyres fitted on passenger cars and light commercial vehicles;
- the use of gear shift indicators, taking into account the extent to which such devices are used by consumers in real driving conditions;
- fuel efficiency progress in light-commercial vehicles with the objective of reaching 175 g/km CO2 by 2012 and 160 g/km CO2 by 2015;
- increased use of biofuels maximizing environmental performance.
The Commission's deadline for responses to the consultation is 30th June.
Meanwhile, ENDS reports that vehicle manufacturers are maintaining their staunch opposition to the Commission's proposals for a regulated approach. In its annual report , the European car manufacturers' association Acea says that the plans designed to cut CO2 emissions risk having the opposite effect. ACEA says that meeting the target of 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre by 2012 through engine technology alone will add €2,500 on average to the cost of a new car.
The Acea annual report comments: "Placing the burden mainly on the car industry, as the European Commission has proposed in its February 2007 CO2 Communication, is the most expensive strategy. It will lead to a diminished level of vehicle manufacturing in Europe with, as yet, unclear economic consequences."
MEPs on the European parliament's environment committee have also criticised the Commission's proposals, describing them as "unrealistic". The committee's main complaint is that the proposed 2012 deadline leaves insufficient time for motor manufacturers to adapt their technology. Liberal MEP Chris Davies was supported by other committee membes when he said: "Maybe we should set a more ambitious target with a longer timeframe." He suggested that 2014, as the date when new Euro 6 limits on other vehicle emissions will also come into force may be more suitable.
Mr Davies also questioned whether the suggested complementary measures could be measured in practice, and said they should not form part of the binding carbon target.
Related Links
< Back to news list