European Union CO2 Targets

The European Parliament has endorsed the energy and climate deal agreed by EU leaders at the December EU summit.

As part of the overall climate deal package endorsed on 17 December 2008, the Parliament rubberstamped a deal on phasing in, as of 2012, a 18% emissions cut for new cars sold in the EU.

The deal is to limit CO₂ emissions to 120 g/km for the whole car industry by 2012. Manufacturers will be given interim targets of ensuring that average CO₂ emissions of 65% of their fleets in January 2012, 75% in January 2013, 80% in January 2014 and 100% from 2015 comply with each manufacturer's specific CO₂ emissions target.

Carmakers in breach of these limits will face gradually increasing fines per exceeded gramme of CO₂ (€95 as of 2019).

The original proposal from the European Commission foresaw the introduction of the the cap on all new cars sold in the region in 2012, with tougher fines from an earlier period.

The agreement reached also introduces a long-term 2020 target for new cars, requiring average emissions of 95g CO₂/km.

The emission reductions are expecetd to come from improved vehicle technology and improvements in other areas, including tyres, fuels, air-conditioning and eco-driving.

CLEPA Position

European Automotive Suppliers are working with the Original Equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to meet the CO₂ targets.

Technologies exist to reach these targets. At the same time, CLEPA knows that these technologies have to be applied and therefore support s the phase-in period that is both ambitious and realistic. CLEPA supports a system that rewards eco-innovations. Any revenue from compensation payments should be invested in a fund dedicated to R&D in car fuel efficiency. This would strengthen competitiveness, innovation and high quality employment in the EU.

The deal now reached will be a major step in lowering CO₂ emissions in the EU.

It will reduce the average emissions of CO₂ from new passenger cars in the EU from around 160 grams per kilometre to 130 grams per kilometre in 2012 as part of the EU's integrated approach to achieve overall 120 grams per kilometre. That will translate into a 19% reduction of CO₂ emissions and will place the EU among the world leaders of fuel efficient cars.