WIREDGOV

The European Commission recently put forward proposals to implement targets that will further considerably reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars and light commercial vehicles (vans) by 2020.

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 in 2017.

The mandatory targets for 2020 are already envisaged in existing legislation but require implementation. Following thorough technical and economic analysis by the Commission, the Regulations proposed today establish the modalities by which the targets would be achieved.

Connie Hedegaard, EU Commissioner for Climate Action, said: ''With our proposals we are not only protecting the climate and saving consumers money. We are also boosting innovation and competitiveness in the European automotive industry. 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."

Net savings for consumers

The Commission's analysis shows that the 2020 targets are achievable, economically sound and cost effective: the technology is readily available, its cost is substantially lower than previously thought and its implementation should boost employment and GDP and benefit consumers and industry.

Each new car will on average save its owner around €340 in fuel costs in the first year, and an estimated total of €2904-3836 over the car's lifetime (13 years), as compared with the 2015 target. For vans the average fuel cost saving is estimated at around €400 in the first year and €3363-4564 over their 13-year lifetime.

Overall, consumers will save around €30bn per year in fuel costs and it is estimated that the targets could increase EU GDP by €12bn annually and spending on employment by some €9bn a year. The proposals would in total save 160 million tonnes of oil – worth around €70bn at today's prices - and around 420 million tonnes of CO2 in the period to 2030.

Spurring innovation and competitiveness

The European automotive industry is considered a global technology leader, largely due to its substantial investments in innovation in combination with a demanding home market. The Commission's impact assessment of the proposals shows the sector has a large capacity for innovation and enjoys a substantial comparative advantage over competitors.

The 2020 targets offer a clear and stable legal environment for investment, and will further stimulate innovation by vehicle producers and component suppliers, further strengthening the EU industry's competitive advantage. The introduction of similar CO2 or fuel efficiency standards in third countries would increase demand for CO2-reducing technologies and more efficient cars made in Europe.

Keeping and creating jobs

The need for new technologies and improvements in fuel efficiency will have positive impacts on demand for components. Fuel efficiency is expected to have a beneficial effect on employment as fuel efficiency increases the value of cars manufactured and leads to proportionally higher labour demand since vehicle manufacturing is labour-intensive.

What next?

The proposals will be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council for discussion and adoption under the normal legislative procedure. The proposals would amend two existing Regulations¹ establishing binding requirements for manufacturers to meet the 2015 mandatory target for cars and the 2017 target for vans. Implementing measures for the Regulations are already in place and CO2 emissions from new vehicles are monitored annually.

Background

The proposals represent a further contribution towards meeting the EU's goal of cutting overall greenhouse gas emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020 and moving towards decarbonising the transport sector, in line with the EU's climate change policy and the Transport White Paper. Cars and vans together account for around 15% of EU CO2 emissions, including emissions from fuel supply.

For more information:

DG Climate Action CO2 from cars page:

http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/transport/vehicles/cars/index_en.htm

DG Climate Action CO2 from light commercial vehicles page:

http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/transport/vehicles/vans/index_en.htm

EEA monitoring report on car CO2 emissions for 2011:

http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/monitoring-co2-emissions-from-new

See also:

MEMO/12/548

Contacts :

Isaac Valero Ladron (+32 2 296 49 71)

Stephanie Rhomberg (+32 2 298 72 78)

¹ : Regulation (EC) No 443/2009 (cars) and Regulation (EU) No 510/2011 (vans).