Commission to get tough with carmakers on CO2 cuts

The Commission threatened EU car manufacturers with legally binding measures after new data shows that they are failing to deliver promised CO2 cuts. 2006).

But the environmental NGO goes a step further, providing figures for the year 2005 which show that car manufacturers are even further off track, having continued to emit 160 grams of CO2 per kilometre in 2005.

Criticising the Commission for delaying official monitoring reports on the implementation of the CO2 reduction strategy for cars for far too long (data for 2004 is only being published “20 months after the reporting period ended”), T&E states that the EU car industry will now "almost certainly" fall short of its voluntary commitment. Indeed, manufacturers would have to cut CO2 by an unprecedented 4.3% every year for the next three years if they are to reach the 140 grams/km target by 2008.