European Parliament votes for delay in 2012 new car CO2 target
Thu 25 October 2007
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The European Parliament has voted for an amendment to the European Commission's original proposals to delay the target date for intoducing average new car CO2 limits by 3 years. The Parliament adopted the Environment Committee report calling for legislation to cap average emissions from all new passenger cars at 125g CO2/km as of 2015.
In a non-binding vote, MEPs also backed plans to compel car makers to meet the targets by technical means alone, without the so called 'integrated approach' which includes other CO2-saving measures, such as biofuels, energy efficient tyres, or improvements in air conditioning systems.
MEPs said that long-term targets, for 2020 and beyond, should be determined no later than 2016: these targets "will possibly require further emissions reductions to 70g CO2/km or less by 2025".
The European Parliament also said that different classes of car should get different CO2 standards based on their 'footprint', defined as the area between a car's four wheels. The motor industry had been lobbying for a weight-based measure.
MEPs recommended that the EU should introduce requirements for a minimum of 20% of the space devoted to car advertising to provide information on fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association ACEA welcomed the European Parliament’s recognition that the car industry needs sufficient lead-time to adjust to new legal requirements on C02 emissions but complained that it did not call for “a comprehensive, cost-effective approach” towards reducing CO2 emissions from cars, and that it “clings to car technology targets that are too stringent”.
Transport and Environment, the Brussels-based NGO, said that hopes of achieving a step change in the fuel efficiency of Europe's cars have been hampered by the European Parliament vote. In terms of emissions reduction per year, the latest target is 40% weaker than the existing EU target of 120g/km by 2012 and 20% weaker than the European Commission proposal of 130g/km by 2012 announced in February, they said.
Aat Peterse of T&E commented: "Making cars more fuel efficient is one of the most important steps Europe can take to cut emissions, reduce oil dependency and cut fuel costs, yet MEPs seem to have lost their nerve. Sadly, there is an increasing disparity between what MEPs say needs to be done about climate change, and what they are prepared to actually get on and do. As the report is non-binding, it's now up to the European Commission to ensure carmakers stick to the 13-year-old 120 target when they announce a legal proposal later this year."
The EC's regulatory proposals have some way to go before coming into law, expected to be in 2009.
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