Europe is moving forward with plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vans. The European Commission has today proposed tough new CO2 cap for vans at just 175g/km of CO2 or at least 42.8mpg by 2016.

The new law would mean that van makers would need to ensure that the average fleet emission level was below 175g/km phased-in from 2014 to 2016, in the same way which carmakers are required to meet a fleet average of 130g/km of CO2 by 2012. There would also been a long term emission reduction target of 135 g/km by 2020. Vanmakers would pay a penalty for every gram of CO2 over the limit.

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: “This legislation is another important step for the EU in combating climate change and reaffirms the EU’s commitment and leadership ahead of the Copenhagen conference. As well as ensuring the vans sector make a fair contribution to efforts to tackle climate change it will also generate important fuel-savings for consumers and stimulate innovation in industry which will enable them to take full advantage of the transition to a low-carbon economy. ”

However the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has expressed concern over the timescale for the implementation of the CO2 cap.

“Vans are an integral part of the European economy and at a time of economic downturn and belt-tightening, businesses do not have the capacity to invest in new products,” said Paul Everitt SMMT chief executive. “Industry needs sufficient lead times and reasonable targets to provide affordable products. These must be fit for purpose as business tools. In the current economic climate, the EU regulation must maintain the sector’s diversity while encouraging innovation and the move to low carbon models.”

According to the European Commission, light commercial vehicles account for around 12 per cent of the EU’s total carbon emissions each.