About: Cars and CO2

Solo car journeys more harmful to the environment than flying: report

A solitary trip in a petrol or diesel-powered car may release more emissions per passenger than an intra-EU flight, a new EU study into the environmental impact of transport modes has found.

EU plotting ban on internal combustion engine as of 2025: industry

The European Commission's proposed Euro 7 emission rules on cars, vans, trucks and buses would amount to "a ban through the back door" of internal combustion engines as of 2025, if implemented in their current form, industry has said, calling the proposal premature and "completely out of the question".

EU to target 30 million electric cars by 2030

The European Union will aim to have at least 30 million zero-emission vehicles on its roads by 2030, as it seeks to steer countries away from fossil fuel-based transport, according to a draft EU document.

VW races to meet EU target with new pooling deal

Volkswagen has brokered an "insurance policy" agreement with MG Motor that will allow the German carmaker to count the firm’s electric car sales alongside its own, in what is seen as a last ditch effort to comply with the EU’s 2020 CO2 emissions target.

Honda speeds up plans to electrify car models in Europe

Japanese carmaker Honda has brought forward a goal to only sell electric and hybrid cars in Europe by three years to 2022, a leading company executive said on Wednesday (23 October).

Fiat Chrysler to pay Tesla for CO2 emissions credits

Fiat Chrysler (FCA) confirmed Sunday (7 April) that it is to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to Tesla, the zero-emissions electric carmakers, to avoid getting hit by European Commission fines.

EU agrees on 37.5% CO2 reduction for cars by 2030

EU negotiators on Monday evening (17 December) agreed on CO2 emission rules for cars and vans, as the Austrian presidency of the EU defied expectations and brokered a compromise.

EU talks to set CO2 emission limits for cars founder

The European Union failed on Tuesday (11 December) to reach a compromise over how sharply to curb carbon dioxide emissions from cars and vans as car-producing countries and more environmentally conscious lawmakers could not find a compromise.

EU talks on car CO2 curbs risk stalling

European Union negotiators are locked in talks about new rules meant to cut carbon emissions from light vehicles but the complexity of the proposed regulation threatens to bog down the negotiations.

Transport unplugged: Eyes turn to EU’s 2050 climate future

As the European Commission gears up to reveal its long-term climate vision for 2050 on Wednesday (28 November), observers will be watching to see how the EU executive proposes to clean up what is now regarded as the most problematic...

Tough CO2 targets ‘could cost 100,000 jobs’: VW chief

Setting European Union targets for reducing cars' greenhouse gas output that are too ambitious could backfire with the loss of 100,000 jobs, Volkswagen chief executive Herbert Diess said Thursday.

‘Disappointed’ EU capitals agree on 35% car CO2 cuts

EU environment ministers took until nearly midnight on Tuesday (9 October) to agree on a common position for car and van CO2 emission cuts for 2030 but several member states were left "disappointed" with the final agreement.

EU nations divided on 2030 CO2 curbs for cars, vans

European Union environment ministers will seek a compromise on Tuesday (9 October) over how tough to be on curbing carbon dioxide emissions from cars and vans, with Germany warning too tough targets could harm industry and cost jobs.

European Parliament revs up CO2 car limits

MEPs voted in Strasbourg on Wednesday (3 October) in favour of a 40% CO2 reduction target for light vehicles by 2030. The target is higher than what the Commission has proposed and tough talks with national capitals now loom large on the horizon.

Germany selects lower gear, supports 30% CO2 car cuts

Germany’s environment ministry revealed on Wednesday (26 September) that the Bundesrepublik will back an EU-wide 30% CO2 cut for cars and vans - lower than expected by green NGOs - ahead of an important vote in the European Parliament next week.

Truck emissions and the Pandora’s Box of ambition

EU lawmakers are currently tinkering with the European Commission’s first attempt to regulate heavy-duty vehicle CO2 emissions. But a debate is now raging about how strict those cuts should be and how soon they should be enforced.

10 years to ditch fossil fuel car engines, save Paris climate target, warns study

Europe must stop selling new petrol, diesel and conventional hybrid cars by 2028 in order to stand a better chance of honouring the Paris Agreement’s most ambitious target, according to a new study.

MEPs put pedal to metal and boost car CO2 limits

Carmakers will have to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 45% by 2030, according to members of the European Parliament’s environment committee, who voted on Monday night (10 September) to tune up a European Commission proposal.

CO2 limits on cars risk ‘social catastrophe’, industry says

The European Commission may have underestimated the impact a “forced push” for more electric cars could have on EU jobs, Europe's leading carmaker association has said as lawmakers begin in earnest to look into newly proposed limits on CO2 emissions.

Commission discovers car industry’s attempt to game emission targets

European Commission experts have unearthed evidence that carmakers are using "tricks" to reduce the impact of emission rules set to come into force in 2020, by manipulating tests to make current emission levels look worse than they actually are.

Austria unveils energy, environment work plan at EU helm

The Austrian Presidency of the EU will aim to reach agreement on two flagship pieces of legislation during its six-month stint at the EU helm – including new CO2 emissions standards for cars and vans for 2030 and a controversial reform of the electricity market.

Berlin divided over cars’ CO2 limits, hindering EU decision

The German parliament, the Bundestag, is hosting a public hearing on Wednesday (27 June) on the European Commission's proposal on cars' CO2 emission limits for 2025/30 in a bid to find a consensus between the different ministries.

China dwarfs Europe on EV investments, figures show

European carmakers have invested seven times more in electric vehicle production lines in China than at home, according to industry figures collected by Transport & Environment (T&E), a green campaign group.

Netherlands sees an opening for more ambitious car CO2 limits

The European Commission’s proposal for new car CO2 limits left many disappointed. But a spate of new governments in Europe – and shifting positions in Berlin – means those who want higher targets and an electric vehicle mandate have everything to play for.