EUROPEAN carmakers have pledged their commitment to reducing CO2 levels from new cars but have called on the EU not to introduce tougher new laws.

It follows comments from EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas who has demanded legislation forcing manufacturers to cut emissions to 120g/km by 2012.

But the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), which represents the interests of car manufacturers, said it was committed to an earlier agreement to cut them to 140g/km. An ACEA spokesman said: ‘European car manufacturers are fully committed to reducing CO2 emissions of passenger cars and their voluntary agreement from 1998.

‘This agreement runs until 2008 and its final results won’t be available before 2010. ‘The car industry recognises the decrease in CO2 emissions has recently slowed.

‘This is due to strong customer demand for larger and safer vehicles and disappointing consumer acceptance of extremely fuel-efficient cars, which have been brought into the market in line with the CO2 commitment.’