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The vote, based on a report drawn up by Guido Sacconi (PES, IT), concerned draft regulation which sets emission performance standards for new passenger cars (the "M1" category) registered in the EU. These account for 12% of overall EU emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas, according to European Commission's figures. The new regulation is part of the EU's effort to reduce CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020.
A large majority of Environment Committee MEPs backed the Commission's target of an average of 120g of CO2/km for the whole car industry by 2012, compared to the current levels of 160g/km. A target of 130g/km is to be reached by improvements in vehicle motor technology. A further 10g/km reduction, to reach the 120g/km target should be obtained by using other technical improvements such as better tyres or the use of biofuels.
In line with Parliament's resolution of 24 October 2007, MEPs have agreed to set a long-term target of average emissions of no more than 95g CO2 per km as from 1 January 2020, by means of improvement in vehicle motor technology. No such target was included in the Commission's proposal. The European Commission, says the committee, will have to present a new proposal by 31 December 2014 setting average emissions from 2020 at no more than 95g/km. That proposal must be preceded by an overall assessment of the impact on the car industry and its allied industries, coupled with a cost-benefit analysis, taking into account the development of technological innovations for CO2 reduction.
The committee rejected (by 23 votes in favour with 39 against and two abstentions) an amendment which would have allowed transitional measures for the car industry to be phased in. That amendment would have given manufacturers interim targets of ensuring that average CO2 emissions of 70% of their fleets in both 2012 and 2013, 80% in 2014 and 100% from 2015, comply with the car manufacturer's specific CO2 emissions target.
MEPs also rejected the idea of fixing at €50 the "excess emissions premiums" manufacturers will have to pay for each gram of carbon dioxide over the target. Instead the committee supported the Commission's proposal gradually to increase these fines from €20 in 2012 to €95 from 2015. The EU should invest these revenues in the development of zero emissions cars and other technological innovations which reduce vehicle CO2 emissions, say MEPs.
Another amendment adopted by the committee stipulates that car manufacturers can apply to be given special credits for eco-innovations - that is innovative CO2 reducing technologies on the car, such as energy efficient lights, which are currently not included in the normal test cycle. The credit associated with a technology shall be no higher than 75% of the real-world CO2 reduction.
MEPs agree with the Commission on allowing small independent manufacturers which produce less than 10.000 new registered cars per year to be released from their specific emissions targets. By adding a new provision, the committee gives larger independent car manufacturers - producing 10,000 to 300,000 new registered cars per year - the chance to apply for an alternative target of reducing their average specific emissions by 25 per cent compared to 2006 levels.
Regulation to be part of EU environment legislation
Following the advice of Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee, MEPs agreed that the regulation should be adopted under the environment heading (Treaty Article 175) and not under single market rules (Article 95) as originally proposed by the Commission. MEPs believe that article 175 would better serve the aim of the legislation and allows premiums to be imposed to make it more effective. The report was adopted by 46 votes in favour with 19 against. -- First reading in plenary: October or November (tbc) in Strasbourg.
European Parliament - September 2008
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