The European automobile industry has stepped up its campaign to get the European Commission to revise its proposals on setting emissions targets for new cars.

The industry has said the upcoming legislation fails to take into account car manufacturing cycles.

It also points out the disparity between the European parliament and the commission.

The parliament has already voted twice in favour of 2015 as the most appropriate date for new legislation to enter fully into force.

However, the Commission favours 2012.

Christian Streiff, president of manufacturers’ association ACEA, said: “No less than 60% of all cars that will be on the market in 2012 are already in production or in the advanced development stage today.”

Stavros Dimas, the commissioner driving the new legislation forward, said the motor industry has had ample time to develop technologies needed to meet the targets.