News

The European Parliament has approved proposals to limit average CO2 emissions from new vans and cars to 125g/km by 2015. The Ford Transit is one vehicle likely to be affected as the EU bows to strong environmental lobbying to cut emissions.A report titled 'The Community Strategy to reduce CO2 emissions from passenger cars and light commercial vehicles' was passed by a large majority in the European Parliament in Stasbourg last week.

The proposals target manufacturers of high-consumption  vehicles which may be 'fined' or face higher taxes if they continue to manufacture vehicles that do not meet the new limits after 2015. The money collected in this way could be used to subsidise manufacturers that meet the emission targets, says Chris Davies, the Liberal Democrat MEP and environmental spokesman who is the report's rapporteur (lead figure).

Proposals defining light CVs may not be published until next year with the draft legislation due by March and the regulation likely to become law by mid-2009. Transport operators and courier companies may end up paying more for new vans after 2015 since technical improvements will be required to meet the targets. Davies adds that light CVs account for 6% of emissions in Europe. Pressure to reduce emissions will continue - the report recommends that average CO2 emissions should not exceed 95g/km by 2020.