The European Commission plans to propose binding legislation to force vehicle makers to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by from new cars.
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A Reuters report, citing a newspaper, noted that the European Union’s executive has long threatened to introduce binding rules if car makers do not meet a voluntary target to reduce CO2 emissions to an industry average of 140 grams per kilometre by 2008 and 120 g/km by 2012.
“We will be bringing out legislation to cut CO2 emissions from cars soon,” environment commissioner Stavros Dimas reportedly told the weekly European Voice, adding: “It looks like there is no way manufacturers will meet the 140 (g/km) target in time.”
He told the paper the draft law would mirror the carmakers’ voluntary agreement, though details were still under discussion.
A spokeswoman for Dimas confirmed his comments to Reuters. “We will put forward legislation,” she said.
In 1998 the European automakers trade body ACEA committed to the European Union to reduce the average CO2 emissions of new cars sold in the (then) 15 EU member states to 140 g/km by 2008, down from 186 g/km in 1995. Similar agreements were signed by the Japanese and Korean manufacturers’ associations the following year (1999). The target year for the JAMA and KAMA associations is 2009.
Last week a European Union organisation called Transport and Environment (T&E) claimed that three-quarters of the 20 major car brands sold in Europe last year have failed to improve fuel efficiency at the rate needed to meet the targets.
The study concluded that if climate targets are to be met, companies must improve efficiency across their entire range. One or two very efficient models that sell in limited numbers are not enough.
Sigrid de Vries, director of communications for ACEA, last week stressed that the commitment was an industry-wide average reduction and that the European Commission had taken into account the complexity and diversity of the industry with its many different types of manufacturer and models when the agreement was reached.
Reuters noted that, instead of imposing binding rules, ACEA wants policy makers to create tax incentives to prod consumers to buy less-polluting cars. Consumer demand for safer, larger cars has had a counterproductive effect on reducing emissions.
