The European Parliament's environment committee (ENVI) has voted to dilute a proposed law setting fuel efficiency standards for new vans.
The committee voted to change the long term target proposed by the Commission of 135g/km by 2020 to 140g/km; the short term target of 175g/km for 2016 was not changed.
It also voted to reduce the maximum penalties manufacturers pay for failing to meet targets from EUR 120 to EUR 95 per gramme of CO2 exceeded, per van.
In addition, it decided to extend the period for which manufacturers receive 'supercredits', allowing them to sell several gas guzzling vans for every ultra-low emission (eg: electric) van they sell.
The plan to introduce speed limiters on vans was also cancelled, an amendment to the legislation that was proposed by the Parliament's Industry and Transport committees in earlier votes.
Kerstin Meyer, of Transport & Environment, the EU sustainable transport campaign group, said: "This vote is bad news for the millions of companies that could benefit from fuel efficient vans to save on fuel bills. By weakening the long term target, and the penalties, it also sends the wrong signal to the industry."
Gareth has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist having started his career in local newspapers in the 1990s. Prior to joining Fleet News in 2008, he worked in the public sector as a media advisor and is currently news editor at Fleet News.
thegriffter - 03/12/2010 14:40
What a cop out, what message does this send? yet again the EU screws things up. What on earth is the point of enabling higher CO2 sales based on the number of low emission vehicles sold, utter pants! Companies could be saving money on tax and fuel and instead the EU is saying not to worry....well done EU!