EC proposes strict limits on car pollution

Manufacturers claim exhaust emission limits will make vehicles too expensive

News, 8 February 2007

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The European Commission is to stick to its proposal to place legally binding limits on exhaust emissions, despite the protests of car manufacturers.

European car manufacturers had voiced loud opposition to the plans, but the Commission said that voluntary agreements had so far not worked, and it was now time to bring in legislation for cleaner cars.

The Commission is acting in the wake of the United Nations report published last week which showed that strict measures to tackle global warming are needed.

The proposal, which will need to be approved by EU governments, would require car manufacturers to cut average carbon dioxide emissions to 130 grams per kilometre by 2012. The target figure is a relaxation of the Commission's original proposal of 120 grams. Luxury models in particular would require to cut their emssions by more than half in some cases to comply.

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said all member states would need to implement the necessary measures and would have a major responsibility for encouraging the purchase of fuel-efficient cars. The measures proposed would help meet Kyoto targets for carbon dioxide emissions.

Car manufacturers said they feared the proposals would make vehicles very expensive, but Friends of the Earth the Commission had not gone far enough.

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