Skip to main content

Tough CO2 targets for Europe’s car manufacturers

Following the adoption yesterday of the European Commission's proposals to reduce CO2 emissions from cars and vans, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) says it will now work with its members to conduct a full analysis of how the proposed targets should be reached as well as their feasibility, and what this means in practice for the industry as a whole. The auto industry shares concerns about global warming and is contributing actively to find sustainable solutions. In 2011, the average
July 12, 2012 Read time: 3 mins
Following the adoption yesterday of the European Commission's proposals to reduce CO2 emissions from cars and vans, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (6181 ACEA) says it will now work with its members to conduct a full analysis of how the proposed targets should be reached as well as their feasibility, and what this means in practice for the industry as a whole.

The auto industry shares concerns about global warming and is contributing actively to find sustainable solutions. In 2011, the average fleet emissions were 136.6 gCO2/km compared to 186 gCO2/km in 1995, which is a 26.6% decrease over the period. "It is clear that CO2 levels from vehicles have to continue on their downward trend and the industry is committed to deliver on this," stated Ivan Hodac, ACEA secretary general.

However, the proposal to reach a fleet-average target of 95 gCO2/km for cars and 147 gCO2/km for vans by 2020 will remain extremely challenging.

"These are tough targets - the toughest in the world," said Hodac. Indeed, contrary to some claims, the proposed targets for the European fleet are far more stringent than those in the US, China or Japan. This will increase manufacturing costs in Europe, creating a competitive disadvantage for the region and further slowing the renewal of the fleet. 

In the context of declining car sales for the past five years running, the proposed targets would place an extra strain on manufacturers. The outlook for the industry as a whole is also pessimistic. In 2012 new car registrations are expected to decrease by about  seven per cent compared to 2011, and sales are set to drop from 13.1 million to 12.2 million. This is a record low since 1995.

"Considering that most manufacturers are losing money in Europe at the moment, the industry needs as competitive a framework as possible. Targets, while ambitious, must be feasible. The overall regulatory framework and market environment must be supportive, as also agreed in the recently concluded CARS 21 process," explained Hodac.

"The industry is diverse; the CO2-legislation is complex, and the cost implications are huge. ACEA and its members will now take the time they need to investigate the details of these proposals and their envisaged consequences."

The ACEA members are BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler, Fiat, Ford of Europe, General Motors Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco, Jaguar Land Rover, Porsche, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars, Volvo Group. They provide direct employment to more than two million people and indirectly support another 10 million jobs.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New fuel economy targets could cut motoring costs in Europe
    May 18, 2012
    Europe’s drivers will be able to save enormous sums of money if ambitious fuel economy targets are introduced by the EU this July. This claim has been made by a former UK Environment Agency chief, Malcolm Fergusson. His study predicts that annual fuel costs for Europe’s drivers could fall by about 23% by 2020 if the currently expected EU fuel efficiency target of 95grammes of CO2 emissions/km for new cars and 147grammes/km for vans is confirmed by the European Commission in July, as expected. If the target
  • European project to develop CO2 assessment methodology for ITS
    April 26, 2012
    In a new project that began last month, Europe is taking a significant step to scientifically underpin the estimation of CO2 emissions. The project, Amitran, will develop a methodology to assess the impact of ICT (information and communication technologies) and ITS on CO2 emissions from the transport sector.
  • Data revealed on Europe’s asphalt and bitumen usage
    February 10, 2015
    The latest figures on asphalt production in Europe, published in November 2014 by the European Asphalt Pavement Association (EAPA), show production of asphalt in 2013 was slightly down on 2012 levels in most countries. Figures for hot and warm mix combined show that the total produced in Europe in 2013 was 277.3 million tonnes, down from 276.4 million tonnes in 2012 and 338 million tonnes in 2008 when the global financial crisis began. For most countries, production picked up a little in 2011, only to drop
  • The new agile world of the construction equipment industry
    June 22, 2015
    while worldwide for 2015 a crystalball would be helpful, in Europe the sector has already listed specific priorities it wants to tackle, and among these are the upcoming emissions regulations (see separate story), external trade and access to foreign markets, and market surveillance.