Car manufacturers in Europe hit carbon targets early
Provisional figures published by the European Environment Agency indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from new cars sold in Europe in 2013 fell by 4% to an average of 127 grams per kilometre, meaning that the 2015 legal EU target of 130 g/km from new cars has been met two years early.
The 2013 figure compares to 132.2 g/km in 2012. European Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said: ‘[The news] shows that European car makers are already steering towards the 2021 target of 95 grams and therefore proving us right when we said that the 2015 target was both achievable and cost-effective.’
Data on individual manufacturers’ performances is expected later this year. In terms of car purchases, The Netherlands, Greece and Portugal bought the most efficient cars. Cars produced in the EU emitted an average of 186 g/km in 1995 – and so the latest figures indicate a 32% decrease over the last 18 years.
The 95 g target for 2021 was originally proposed for 2020, but was pushed back and some exemptions were added, following resistance from certain manufacturers. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association said that because the most cost-efficient actions have already been taken to reduce vehicle emissions, delivering on future emissions reductions requires ever-greater technical investments.
For more on new car emissions, see page 17 of June issue.
News Item details
Journal title: Energy World
Organisation: ACEA - European Automobile Manufacturers' Association
Subjects: Carbon emissions
