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The
EU executive is expected to introduce new CO2 standards for cars
and vans for beyond 2020 to help the bloc meet its goal of
cutting overall greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 percent
below 1990 levels by 2030.
As the Commission puts the finishing touches to the proposals,
those calling for more ambitious climate goals face off with
industry representatives who say too stringent emission
standards could become a burden for the industry.
Reuters exclusively reported that the Commission plans to set a
target for reducing emissions of passenger car fleets between
25-35 percent by 2030.
The seven governments, whose small stake in Europe's powerful
car industry is dwarfed by big carmakers France, Germany and
Italy, called for a 40 percent cut.
Without ambitious targets, the EU will struggle to meet its
climate goals, they wrote in a letter to the Commission on Oct.
25, seen by Reuters. The transport and environment ministers of
Luxembourg, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Ireland
and Slovenia signed the letter.
Since Volkswagen <VOWG_p.DE> admitted to cheating on emission
tests in the United States, large car manufacturing nations have
also been under greater pressure to accept tougher EU regulation
of the industry.
European carmakers say they support the introduction of cleaner
vehicles but warned they depend on consumer demand.
The Commission's proposal due on Nov. 8 is expected to set a
benchmark for carmakers to introduce zero-emission vehicles into
their fleets as part of a crediting system linked to the overall
CO2 targets.
"This will change the culture, it will make many more vehicles
available and it will make sure those vehicles are marketed,"
said Greg Archer, clean vehicles director at Transport and
Environment.
(Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
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