Parliament backs weakened car CO2 deal

On 25 February the EU Parliament voted in favour of the renegotiated deal on new car CO2 emissions in 2020.

It was in June last year that Germany intervened at the last moment and demanded a renegotiation of the original agreement. This resulted in a one-year delay in implementation and an extension of super credits. Only 95 per cent of new cars have to meet the 95 gCO2/km target in 2020, effectively weakening the target by around 3 gCO2/km. The target will apply to all new cars the following year.

Super credits intended to promote the introduction of electric cars will apply from 2020 to 2022. Cars that emit less than 50 gCO2/km will be counted as two cars in 2020, as 1.67 cars in 2021 and as 1.33 in 2022.

Greg Archer, clean vehicles manager at Transport & Environment, said: “This one year delay to the car emissions law was an unnecessary weakening to please luxury German carmakers. Nevertheless, the final agreement is still a good deal for the environment, EU economy and drivers – reducing fuel use and CO2 emissions by 27 per cent over six years.”

The deal also means an introduction “as soon as possible” of a new test cycle, which is supposed to better reflect real-world driving conditions than those used today. The European Commission has indicated its support for a 2017 deadline.

The deal must now be formally approved by the Council of Ministers to enter into force.

Source: EU Parliament press release, 25 February Transport and Environment press release, 25 February