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Controversy around EU CO2 targets for cars |
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Key issues discussed regarding a mandatory emission target of 120 g/km to be met by 2015 and a revised type approval taking into account today's driving conditions, including air conditioning, sparked debate in the European Parliament.
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2007-06-27
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The Environment Committee met on 26 June to exchange views on a draft report by UK Liberal Chris Davies, the Parliament's rapporteur on the issue, that provides alternative proposals to the CO2 cars strategy issued by the European Commission (EC) in February 2007.
Davies' report calls for average emissions from new cars to be cut to 120 g/km by 2015, and to 95 g/km by 2020, thereby setting more ambitious targets than the EC but with an extended deadline. In addition, the pre-legislative text urges the Commission to revise the current type approval to take into account today's driving conditions and technological developments, such as energy-efficient air conditioning.
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Deadline for emissions target: 2012 or 2015?
Davies proposes to extend the deadline for emission reduction targets to 2015, thereby giving the car industry more time to make necessary changes. In contrast to the original EC strategy, his proposal foresees a CO2 emission target of 120 g/km to be achieved through technological progress alone. To ensure that targets are met, Davies wants to introduce binding annual targets as from 2011 on with penalties for carmakers not achieving these limits. The “Carbon Allowance Reductions System (CARS)”, a new market mechanism similar to CO2 emissions trading schemes, would penalize manufacturers whose fleet will exceed annual targets.
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Despite the Committee's overall support for Davies’ 2015 target, the European Commission rejects a prolonged deadline. Marianne Klingbeil, speaking on behalf of the European Commission at the Committee’s meeting, was clear that "postponing the date to 2015 would be the wrong signal to give". Her view is supported by Europe’s automotive suppliers (CLEPA) recently stating that the 2012 deadline is achievable. Klingbeil also pointed out that since the EC has issued its proposal in February several carmakers have been discussing with the Commission on how to achieve the 130 g/km by 2012 with already available technology.
Test cycles should reflect mobile air conditioning
Davies' report advocates the revision of current test procedures to better reflect actual driving conditions, and calls for amendments to the European Driving Cycle to take into account technological changes, such as high efficient air conditioning systems.
"The type approval system is hopelessly out of date with no account being taken of air conditioning," stated Davies, before Matthias Groote from the Socialist Group added that "test cycles no longer reflect current driving behavior."
Next steps
The draft report will serve as a basis for the Parliament’s final position on the EU CO2 car strategy. The deadline for amendments to the pre-legislative report is 10 July, before the Parliament's Environment Committee will adopt its final version on 11-13 September. The final vote in full plenary is scheduled for 22-25 October.
A Public Hearing on 4 July will further exchange views on technologies that could lead to a further reduction of CO2 emissions.
Background
At present, 19% of all CO2 emissions in the European Union are produced by passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles with still rising tendency.
With new cars emitting 162 g/km on average, the European Commission (EC) proposed to introduce mandatory CO2 emission targets to be achieved by 2012. Under the EC proposal carmakers would be required to achieve a 130g/km target through vehicle technology, and an additional 10 g/km reduction through additional measures, such as energy-efficient air conditioning.
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More information:
 Draft Report Chris Davies (192 KB)
EU Strategy on CO2 car emissions (71 KB)
CLEPA press release (European Association of Automotive Suppliers) (29 KB)
› Public Hearing "Cars for the Future" - European Parliament, 4 July
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