A European Commission (EC) legislative proposal on the imposition of a CO2 cap for motor vehicles manufactured and imported into the European Union (EU) may now be completed before Christmas.
Previous reports to the European Parliament suggested that the proposal would be released in 2008, but information released in Brussels weekly newspaper European Voice says a draft law may be tabled as early as 19 December.
It quotes officials as saying the main sticking point is whether manufacturers
should be fined if they breach mandatory CO2 emission limits for new models. An EU official has been quoted saying there has been a "big row" over penalties between the EC's directorates general for industry and the environment.
Officials for EC president José Manuel Barroso have confirmed that these departments were "working closely together to present a legislative proposal before the end of the year" and officials are expected to start consulting on a final draft this week.
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