An informal agreement on new rules to achieve the 2020 CO2 emission target of 95g/km for new cars was reached by EP and member state negotiators on Tuesday afternoon. The file had to be reopened after EU ministers failed to endorse a previous informal deal on it with Parliament.
During the negotiations, the European Parliament negotiating team limited the proposed “phase-in” of the 95g/km mandatory target to 95% of new cars and to a single year: – 2020. Super-credits (favourable weightings for cleaner cars within a manufacturer’s range) would be allowed from 2020 to 2022, but capped at 7.5g/km over that period.
“Our objective was to stand firm and not weaken our targets, in order not to hold back innovation in the car industry and EU efforts against climate change. We accepted a very limited phase-in of one year only, combined with super-credits. We regret that some member states in the Council have tried to delay confirmation of a deal between the institutions. This could have dragged the procedure out until the next Parliament, while the automotive sector needs long-term certainty for its investments” said Environment Committee chair Matthias Groote (S&D, DE).
“Council’s attitude also sets a dangerous precedent among the institutions. We must ensure that this doesn’t happen again. Parliament has done its job, and we now expect the Council to do likewise”, he added.
“I am satisfied with what was agreed today” said rapporteur Thomas Ulmer (EPP, DE). We fought for a good agreement, combining flexibility for manufacturers, protection for the environment, and the best interests of consumers. This is a good deal for the three parties involved”, he said.
The pending update to EU car emissions legislation sets a 95g/km for passenger cars by 2020. It must be approved by both the European Parliament and Council to enter into force. Although an agreement was reached between the institutions on the new rules in June, national governments’ permanent representatives in the “COREPER” committee had postponed a decision to endorse the deal.
