Cutting Car Carbon Quota

2.19.26pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 7th Feb 2007

The European Commission today released its plans to force car manufacturers to reduce CO2 emissions from new cars. EU legislation is to be introduced now that it is clear that the motor industry will fail to deliver on a voluntary agreement to reduce average carbon emissions to 140 grams per kilometre by 2008.

Sharon Bowles, the South East's Liberal Democrat MEP has welcomed the fact that there will now be legislation and hopes that steps will be taken to reduce carbon emissions further.

Only 25% of manufacturers are on track to meet the target. Introduction of more powerful 'gas guzzling' cars by other companies has left average emissions still at 162 g/km.

Experts at a seminar organised in Brussels by the Liberals last week gave evidence that a reduction of up to one third could be achieved almost immediately using existing technology. The extra cost of between £300 and £800 to the price of a vehicle could be quickly recouped through fuel savings.

Today's announcement indicates that the Commission will be seeking a target of 130g/km reducing this to 120g/km by 2012.

Sharon Bowles said: "Private cars generate 14% of all Europe's carbon emissions and relatively small changes to car design can produce significant benefits. We can and must do a lot better. We should not regard even 120g/km as the end of the story."

Behind the scenes there has been furious debate between Commissioners, with motor industry lobbyists doing their very best to prevent the adoption of tough criteria for CO2 reductions.

Sharon Bowles said, "But we have no need to fear competitive losses. Within the EU single market we make the same demands of every car built here and imported here. For Europe to take a world lead in the development of low carbon cars could be a win win solution. We produce 40% of the world' passenger cars".

"The carbon gains made by using biofuels should be regarded as a bonus not a replacement for vehicle improvements."

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