European Commission delays announcement of new car emissions limits
Wed 24 January 2007
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The European Commission has delayed the announcement of proposals expected to call for binding legislation on car manufacturers to reduce CO2 emissions after the Voluntary Agreements expire in 2008/9.
The expectations are that the Commission will propose that car makers should be legally obliged to achieve a new car average target of 125-130 grams per kilometre by 2012, with other measures being introduced to contribute a further 5-10 grams reduction to 120g/km - the EC's pre-existing target for 2012.
Stavros Dimas, the Environment Commissioner, is leading on the proposals but it is clear he is facing opposition, particularly from the Industry Commissioner Gunter Verheugen who is reported to be arguing for the burden on the car industry to be lightened.
The German car makers, in particular, are said to be lobbying hard to weaken the proposals which, they fear, will threaten the future viability of the German car industry. Despite the opposition from the national car industry, leading German politicians from both of the main political parties say they support a stronger line from the Commission.
The Brussels-based environment group, T&E, has organised an international NGO coalition to put pressure on the Commission to stick to the 120g/km mandatory approach to the 2012 target. (See press release link below)
In the UK, Greenpeace has written to the Environment Secretary, David Miliband, requesting his public support for a strong, mandatory target.
The argument over its content appears to be the cause of delays in the announcement.
ENDS reports that among the supplementary measures being considered are tougher controls on air conditioning systems, bans on high rolling-resistance tyres and programmes promoting more efficient driving techniques.
The car industry trade body, ACEA, said that a reliance purely on technological advances to meet a 120g/km target would be too expensive.
An ACEA spokeswoman pointed to an independent study (by TNO, IEEP and LAT - see separate news item) which concludes that bringing average fleet emissions to 140 from 160 g/km would, alone, add an average 1,200 Euros to the present cost of cars, while bringing them down to 120 g/km would cost another 2,450 Euros.
T&E counter the claims of ACEA, noting that an earlier study by a similar group of academics came up with much lower compliance figures. T&E also note that consumers will benefit to the tune of 5000 Euros, or more, over their car's lifetime from the better fuel efficiency that goes hand-in-hand with lower carbon emissions.
Related Documents
ENDS news link
Guardian news link
T&E website/press release link
Greenpeace press release link
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