Reacting to the European Commission’s announcement of mandatory standards on vehicle emissions, Greenpeace campaigner Emily Armistead said:
"The adoption of a European emissions law for cars is welcome, but it's weaker than we'd hoped. The German motor manufacturers strong-armed the EU to water down the proposals with the kind of big business lobbying campaign we're used to seeing in Washington DC, not Brussels. German automakers have shown themselves to be carbon-dinosaurs. The next time Mercedes and BMW claim to be progressive on climate change issues they’ll be laughed out of the room."
The EU today announced plans to introduce mandatory emissions standards for vehicles. Car companies will be forced to achieve a fleet average of 130g of CO2 per kilometre for their trucks and cars by 2012 via improvements in technology. A further 10g/km saving is proposed via 'complementary measures'. At present a voluntary target of 120g/km by 2010 is in place.
The proposals have split the commission, with German industry commissioner Günter Verheugen opposing moves to set a mandatory standard of 120g/km. Intense lobbying by the German motor industry saw that plan scaled back.
Today's announcement marked the start of the process before legislation is finalised.
Emily Armistead continued:
"Now is the time for the British government to make its voice heard. We often hear cabinet ministers saying how climate change is a number one priority for New Labour. If that's true, our government will pressure the EU to adopt a stronger emissions law."
The European fleet emitted an average of 162g/km in 2005.
ENDS
Greenpeace press office – 0207 865 8255
