European environment ministers have backed proposals to cut carbon dioxide emissions from commercials vans by around 14% to an average of 175g/km by 2017.
As well as cutting emissions, the move is aimed at reducing fuel bills for small businesses.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The European Commission had also proposed a much tougher target for 2020 of 135g/km but after objections, notably from Germany, ministers have agreed to soften that goal to 147g.
Germany’s environment minister Norbert Roettgen said he thought a good compromise had been reached for all sides. He added: “It achieves substantial CO2 reductions. It is feasible, it is a technological challenge, but it keeps us in a leadership position.”
EU climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard welcomed the deal, saying: “It is an important step forward in curbing transport emissions. Although less ambitious than our proposal, it will stimulate innovation… it will also generate fuel savings for consumers, mainly small and medium sized enterprises.”
