Cleaner cars proposal published today
11 July 2012
Cleaner cars proposal published today
The European Commission is expected today to publish plans to tighten limits on how much carbon dioxide cars and vans can emit, the latest step towards EU goals of cutting fuel bills and curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
The binding 2020 targets, limiting CO2 to an average of 95 grams per kilometre (g/km) for cars and 147 g/km for vans, have divided the auto industry over how they should be distributed across the European fleet.
Following extensive industry lobbying, EU sources said they expected limited flexibility to be included in the proposal, but the overall targets on cutting emissions would stand.
In the current economic climate, the plan has the virtue of cutting bills for consumers and improving efficiency, in line with targets to save energy and cut dependency on imported fuel.
Referring to the last round of negotiations, which established a 2015 130 g/km target, Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament Chris Davies said the argument had shifted.
"In 2008 the debate was about reducing CO2 emissions. Now the emphasis is on fuel efficiency. It's the same thing, but reflects current political priorities."
An impact assessment on the proposed new law, seen by Reuters, says a roughly 25 percent reduction in car and van fuel consumption would save an estimated 25 billion euros ($30.64 billion) per year.
For the average motorist, fuel savings of around 500 euros per year would stem from the 95 gram target in 2020, based on a driving distance of 20,000 km per year and a fuel cost of 1.4 euros per litre.
Davies said 95 grams was "a good aspiration", provided the Commission made the law water-tight.
"If you can close the loopholes...then this legislation will be really worth having," he told Reuters.
Representing the car industry, Philippe Doublet, a vice president at Renault, said 95 grams was achievable.
"Yes we can, no problem. We have the technology," he told a debate in Brussels on Tuesday, but added there was a cost.
Campaigners say greater ambition, taking emissions down to as low as 80 grams, could be also met with existing technology.
"This is a sound proposal, but it lacks ambition," said Greg Archer, a programme manager at Transport & Environment campaign group. ( C) Reuters
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