MEPs split over plans to soften car emissions targets

MEPs are divided over the results of a committee vote that delays targets aimed at limiting CO2 emissions from cars.

The commission’s original proposal had foreseen CO2 emissions of the average new car sold in Europe to reach a target of 130g of CO2 per km by 2012.

However, MEPs have voted to phase in the targets gradually and extend the deadline date to 2015 – which would mean only 60 per cent of cars will have to reduce CO2 in line with the proposals by 2012, 70 per cent in 2013, and so on.

The changes, which were presented in a report by German deputy Werner Langen, were adopted by the industry committee in parliament by 35 votes to 21 on Monday.

German Green MEP Rebecca Harms said that she was “deeply disappointed” with the result, which gives carmakers more time to meet the EU’s emissions targets.

“The result of the vote shows that many of the members of the industry committee find it much easier to promise big changes in the future than to take the first important steps to get there,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.

Harms said that the new proposals, which also include reducing the fines for non-compliance, undermined the purpose of the emissions targets.

“The so-called ‘phase-in’ of the regulation effectively means a weakening of the emission target,” she said.

“Furthermore, the penalties for non-compliance have been weakened substantially. For most producers it would be far cheaper to buy their way out of the obligations instead of making the technological changes to meet them.”

However, Langen said his report reflected a “realistic approach” that is essential if emissions targets are to be effectively applied to the car industry.

“If we can get such a solution underway, the EU will have a practical piece of legislation which could serve as a model for other regions in the world,” he said in a press release on Friday.

The report is due to be voted on by parliament’s environment committee on 9 September.

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