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CO2 car emissions target hotly debated in the EU |
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Public authorities, the automotive industry, and NGOs discussed a 120g/km CO2 emissions target by 2012 during a public hearing held in Brussels on 11 July. The exchange of view revealed large disaccords among the speakers.
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2007-07-12
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Participants focused on whether a 120 g/km CO2 emissions target for new cars is feasible and by what date. While the car industry is still showing strong resistance to stringent limits, automotive suppliers, national public authorities, and non-governmental organisations support the European Commission (EC) targets, some calling for even stricter targets.
Issues raised by participants also included the introduction of incentive schemes for carmakers and consumers, CO2-based car taxation, as well as labeling and advertisement requirements for new cars.
European Commission set to stick to 120 g/km target
Representatives from the European Commission reconfirmed a mandatory target of 120 g/km CO2 emissions for all new cars and vans sold in the EU after 2012. An integrated approach, including also Mobile Air Conditioning, still features as the preferred option. To achieve the set target, the EC will focus on the use of existing automotive technologies that will be competition neutral for European carmakers.
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The EC’s view was supported by CLEPA, representing the European automotive suppliers, since the mandatory emissions cut are seen by many suppliers as an opportunity for the introduction of new sustainable technologies. Supporting the 120 g/km target by 2012, the non-governmental organizations Transport & Environment and International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) called for higher fuel efficiency standards, more ambitious long term targets by 2020 and beyond, as well as high penalties for manufacturers not meeting the targets.
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UBA proves: emissions target achievable today
At the public hearing the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) showed that retrofitting a VW Golf with existing technology can cut CO2 emissions to less than 130 g/km already today, thereby proving that the target to be achieved by 2012 through improved motor vehicle technology is feasible. The test vehicle, however, did not include energy-efficient Mobile Air Conditioning, such as CO2 Technology. This is mainly due to the fact that the car cooling system is not part of the 130 g/km reduction target but is mentioned under "other technological improvements" that would achieve a further 10 g/km emissions reduction to achieve the final limit of 120 g/km.
Background
The latest public hearing was jointly organised by the European Commission's Directorate-Generals (DG) Enterprise and Environment to gather views on options available for designing concrete legislation within an integrated CO2 strategy. On 7 February, DG Enterprise and DG Environment proposed to raise the competitiveness of the European car industry under its CARS21 strategy while introducing mandatory emissions cut in the near future.
Next steps
In addition to the public hearing, the Commission is holding an online consultation to gather views from interested stakeholders until 15 July 2007. The results of both the public hearing and the consultation will be taken into account in the on-going internal discussions and the issue of impact assessments for single technological options. The final legislative Commission proposal is expected for end-2007.
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More information:
 Transport & Environment - Presentation 11 July, 2007 (612 KB)
› See our related news "Controversy around EU CO2 targets for cars", 27 June
› The UBA presentation will be added soon - please check later
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