The European Commission this week announced plans to implement proposals that will further considerably reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new cars and light commercial vehicles by 2020.
”With our proposals we are not only protecting the climate and saving consumers money,” Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said. “We are also boosting innovation and competitiveness in the automotive sector. And we will create substantial numbers of jobs as a result. This is a clear win-win situation for everyone. This is one more important step towards a competitive, low-carbon economy. More CO2 reductions beyond 2020 need to be prepared and these will be considered in consultation with stakeholders.” Actually, it sounds like it’s a win-win-win situation (a benefit for all those who rely on a livable climate, a benefit for new car consumers, and a job-creation booster).
The targets already exist in legislation but have hitherto been without law for implementation. The regulations proposed by the Commission establish the methods by which the targets will be achieved.
The proposals will cut average emissions from new cars to 95 grams of CO2 per km (g CO2/km) in 2020 from 135.7g in 2011 and a mandatory target of 130g in 2015. Emissions from vans will be reduced to 147g CO2/km in 2020 from 181.4g in 2010 (the latest year for which figures are available) and a mandatory target of 175g will be set for 2017.
Source: European Commission
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