The European parliament is expected to hold carmakers to a stricter than anticipated carbon dioxide emissions target this week, but give them three years longer to meet it, according to a report in the Financial Times.
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Lawmakers are set to begin debating the report on the EU’s strategy to reduce vehicles’ CO2 emissions today and vote on it on Wednesday. The vote is non-binding but the proposals are significant, as final legislation will have to be approved by the European parliament, the FT said.
Chris Davies, British Liberal Democrat MEP in charge of drawing up the report on cars and CO2 , outlined in a briefing on Friday his proposal that carmakers cut average CO2 emissions to 125 grams per km through vehicle technology alone.
The European Commission had previously agreed a cut to 130g/km through technological means alone, with another 10g/km cut from complementary efforts such as gear-shift indicators or increased use of biofuels. Its final proposal will be released in December and must be approved by parliament and national governments.
“The industry’s portion will be made more ambitious,” Mr Davies told the FT.
However, he favours extending the deadline to 2015, from 2012. “I want to make it clear what the car industry has to do technically, but I think that 2012 is too early,” he said.
The report also proposes setting up a carbon emissions trading scheme, with penalties for carmakers that exceed quotas and credits for manufacturers who come in below it.
