European car CO2 emissions fall in 2005, but 2008 target out of reach says T&E
Wed 19 April 2006
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Average carbon dioxide emissions from new cars sold in Europe were cut by around 1% in 2005 according to the latest figures published in ENDS. In order to meet the industry's voluntary 2008/9 target of 140g/km, carmakers will need an unprecedented improvement rate of over 4% a year says environment group T&E.
European, Japanese and Korean carmakers now stand virtually no chance of meeting CO2 targets agreed with the EU, according to Brussels-based T&E who sourced the sales data on which the figures are based from a German consultancy also used by the European Commission.
The industry agreed in 1998 to reduce average new vehicle CO2 output to 140 grams per kilometre by 2008/9, compared with 186 g/km in 1995.
European manufacturers achieved have achieved the lowest average emissions - 160 g/km average in 2005 compared with 169 g/km for Japanese-made cars and 172g/km for those made in Korea.
A European Commission spokesperson said that T&E’s data would need to be checked against official EU figures.
T&E’s intervention is timed to coincide with a European Commission review of EU policy on vehicle CO2 emissions due in mid-2006. This will explore how Europe can build on the existing voluntary agreement to achieve a more ambitious goal of average 120 g/km emissions from new vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has announced that the launch of the latest report into UK new car CO2 performance will take place at Forbes House, Halkin Street London SW1 on 25th April at 2pm. For more details, and to book a place, please see the invitation attached below.
Related Links
Transport & Environment press release
SMMT's 2004 CO2 report
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