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Parliament backs law to cut car CO2 emissions
New rules designed to achieve the CO2 emission reduction target of 95g/km for new cars by 2020 were endorsed by Parliament on Tuesday. The text retains this target, albeit with a one-year “phase-in” period in 2020. It also allows “super credits”, whereby the cleanest cars in each manufacturer’s range count for more than others, to apply from 2020 to 2022.
In talks with the Council, Parliament’s negotiators limited the proposed “phase-in” of the 95g/km mandatory target to 95% of new cars and to a single year: 2020.
“This vote means that Europe will continue to be at the cutting edge in reducing co2 emissions from cars, as the 95g/km target represents a saving of 15 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. However, the cost of innovation has to be socially acceptable and economically feasible, both for consumers and manufacturers” said rapporteur Thomas Ulmer (EPP, DE). “We are also going to introduce new test cycles which will better reflect real driving conditions”, he added.
The text was approved by 499 votes in favour, 107 against and 9 abstentions.
Super-credits
“Super-credits” (favourable weightings for cleaner cars within a manufacturer’s range) would be allowed from 2020 to 2022 (there will be no super-credits in 2016-2020), but capped at 7.5g/km over that period. The following multipliers will apply: a car emitting less than 50g/km will count as 2 passenger cars in 2020, 1.67 passenger cars in 2021, 1.33 passenger cars in 2022, and 1 passenger car in 2023.
Towards a more realistic emissions test
The new UN-defined World Light Duty Test Procedure (WLTP) which better reflects real-world driving conditions, should come into force at the earliest opportunity, says the text. The European Commission has indicated its support for a 2017 deadline.
MEPs note that recent studies show that manufacturers have exploited weaknesses in the current procedure, leading to official consumption and emission figures which are far from those achieved in everyday driving conditions.
Next steps
The pending update must still be approved by the Council of Ministers to enter into force.
Procedure: Co-decision, first reading (with agreement)
