European Parliament approves post-2020 CO2 emission targets for cars and vans

The legislation now requires final adoption by the European Council before publication in the Official Journal

On 27 March, the Members of European Parliament (MEPs) approved post-2020 CO2 emission targets applicable for the new passenger cars and light commercial vans in the European Union (EU), the European Parliament said in a press release. MEPs adopted the provisional agreement with 521 votes in favor, 63 votes against and 34 abstentions. The legislation now requires final adoption by the European Council before publication in the Official Journal.

As per the agreement, automakers will be required to reduce EU fleet-wide emissions for new cars by 37.5% and new vans by 31% by 2030, compared to 2021. This was higher than 30% CO2 emission reduction target proposed by the European Commission (EC) for both cars and vans, but lower than 40% suggested by the European Parliament. Automakers whose average emissions exceed the limit will have to pay an excess premium. The agreement expects the EC to submit a report on the effectiveness of the regulation in 2023.

"As Parliament, we strongly fought to safeguard the environmental integrity of the proposal and bring real health, consumer and innovation benefits to European citizens. We achieved this legislation, despite fierce opposition from the car industry and certain Member States, which refused to acknowledge the opportunities that stem from a more ambitious target" said rapporteur and MEP, Miriam Dalli.

Significance: In November 2017, EC proposed to cut vehicle CO2 emissions by 30% from 2021 to 2030. A 30% reduction in CO2 emission would reduce average CO2 emission goals to 66.6 grams per kilometer from the current target of 95 grams per kilometer for 2021, EC estimated. The EC's proposal was substantially higher than 20% additional CO2 emission reduction, voluntarily offered by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), the association of vehicle manufacturers. The European Parliament proposed and later approved even more aggressive targets of reducing what had been proposed by the EC. In December 2018, the EC, European Parliament and European Council finally reached an agreement to reduce CO2 emissions by 37.5% by 2030 for cars and 31% for vans, compared to the 2021 level. Both types of vehicle will also be subject to an interim CO2 reduction target of 15% by 2025. According to the European Parliament, transport is responsible for nearly 30% of the EU's total CO2 emissions, of which 72% comes from road transport. Further, passenger cars account for 60.7% of total CO2 emission from EU road transport.

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