Friday, August 14, 2009
Motor lobby attacks EU emission plans for vans and light trucks
Vans and light trucks sold in the European Union will have to meet tighter environmental standards within four years, under plans being developed by the European Commission and already strongly criticised by the automotive lobby.
Light commercial vehicles have so far been exempt from the EU emissions standards for passenger cars set late last year.
The proposals would set average CO2 emissions from LCVs at 175 g/km by mid-2013, compared with slightly above 200 g/km for new LCVs today, according to internal Commission documents. A long-term target of 135 g/km is also tabled.
The proposal is due to be finalised by the Commission by the end of September, when it would go before the European Parliament and member states for ratification.
However, ACEA, the European motor manufacturers' lobby group, has dismissed the plans as 'unenforceable' saying its members could not meet new standards within such a short period.
With LCVs having a seven to 10-year lead time between design and production, ACEA secretary general Ivan Hodac said the 2013 schedule was completely out of reach. He also warned that the proposals would add up to ?6,000 to the price of each vehicle.
DATED: 14.08.09
FEED: AW
