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

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Main menu

Parliament backs weakened car CO2 deal

In this issue

A new EU clean air strategy up to 2030

Editorial: Need for ambitious and explicit targets

Banking on coal – undermining our climate

Ships should use advanced emissions monitoring

Emission controls for medium combustion plants

Hamburg commits to fossil fuel beyond 2050

Cutting emissions from heaters and wood-fired stoves

CCS no more in Norway

Most corals will bleach at 1.5°C

Oceans acidify at unprecedented rate

Uncertain future for further emission reductions

Don’t delay NECAs!

Stricter emission standards for non-EU power plants

EU climate and energy targets for 2030

Publications

Phasing out coal in Europe by 2025

A 1.5°C target is needed to save the Mediterranean Sea region

Ecological effects of ocean acidification

What will it take to phase out greenhouse gas emissions from road traffic in the Nordic-Baltic region by 2030–2035?

A vision for zero carbon emissions in the Nordic-Baltic region by about 2030

Cost-benefit analysis of NOx control for ships in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea

Clearing the air

Future Nordic Diets

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Air pollution

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