Commission to get tough with carmakers on CO2 cuts

Spokesman for Enterprise and Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen, Gregor Kreuzhuber, said the situation is “by no means satisfactory”. He said the Commission would continue to monitor the process but, if it becomes clear that the “carrot approach” is not working, the Commission will have to move to a “stick approach”, which would include legislative measures to ensure that the necessary CO2 reductions are achieved. He did not specify when this decision could be taken. 

The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) underlined the fact that consumer demand for safer and larger cars and regulations concerning safety and air pollution have had a counter-productive impact on the reduction of CO2 emissions for new cars. Despite these developments, it said, the industry has successfully achieved a 13% reduction in CO2 emissions since 1995. Communications Director Sigrid de Vries said it was much too soon to say that the car industry would fail to meet its 2008 target. "This is 2004 data only," she said. "ACEA does not think it is yet appropriate to talk about legislation".

Director of T&E Jos Dings said: “The one piece of good news in the Commission report is the acknowledgement that legally binding options to reduce emissions are now on the table. The existing voluntary commitment with carmaker associations lacks transparency and fails to punish poor performance or reward progress. It’s important that any future legislative proposal holds individual carmakers to account, gives incentives to cut emissions and punishes those that fail.”