Small volume (below 10,000 units per year) will have tough individual targets set while niche manufacturers (10,000 to 300,000 units per year) are expected to deliver a 25 per cent reduction of the 2007 figure. With the UK home to more than ten small volume and niche manufacturers, the provision serves to protect the diversity and dynamism of the sector.
Commenting, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) chief executive Paul Everitt said: “This is an ambitious piece of legislation presenting a tough challenge to the automotive industry. We share the environmental objectives and welcome the long-term framework the legislation sets out.
“The sector has already made significant progress in improving the environmental impact of its products and this legislation places an even greater premium on innovation, skills and training in order to meet these commitments. At a time of economic uncertainty, it underlines the importance of long-term investment in the sector.”
The target was originally proposed to be 130g/km by 2012 with a longer term target of 95g CO2/km for 2020 but with increasing pressure from motor manufacturers, the target was reduced.
According to SMMT data, the overall cut to 120g/km represents a 24.3 per cent reduction on current average UK new car CO2 emissions. Currently there are 69 model ranges on the UK market already meeting the 120g/km CO2 emissions target. In 2007, 5.4 per cent of new cars registered emitted less than 120g/km – that figure has doubled to 10.9 per cent of the market to November 2008 as the number of available models increases. Average UK new car CO2 emissions have fallen from nearly 190g/km in 1997 to 158.6g/km in 2008 – a fall of 16.4 per cent.
European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association (ACEA) said that they were ready to meet the ambitious targets set by the European Parliament as long as there was support for auto makers through the economic crisis.
“If the Council follows the Parliament’s vote, as they are expected to do, Europe has adopted an extremely tough piece of legislation”, said Christian Streiff, President of ACEA and CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroën. “This legislation forms part of the ambitious European energy and climate change package. We are committed to do what we can to deliver, despite the sudden, dramatic economic downturn that severely limits our resources. We ask for governments to support the strategic auto sector in these extraordinary circumstances.”
Adding “despite the modifications to the original legislative proposal, the penalty of € 95 per excess gramme of CO2 remains extremely high compared to the price of CO2 in other sectors”, added Streiff.
