MEPs and Council agreed on a higher target (37,5%) than the
European Commission (30%) for the reduction of EU
fleet-wide emissions for new cars by 2030. The legislation
will also set a CO2 reduction target for new vans of 31% by
2030.
“As Parliament, we strongly fought to safeguard the
environment integrity of the proposal and bring real
health, consumer and innovation benefits to European
citizens,” rapporteur Miriam
Dalli (S&D, MT) said.
“We achieved this deal despite the fierce opposition of the
car industry and certain Member States who refused to
acknowledge the opportunities that stem from a more
ambitious target.”
“The Parliament’s position secured a 37.5% target for 2030,
considerably increasing the Commission’s original level of
ambition. Against the Council’s resistance, this target is
the maximum that could have been reached.”
As proposed by MEPs, the legislation introduces an
obligation for the European Commission to monitor the fuel
consumption meter data and report annually on how the gap
between what is tested and the levels of CO2 emitted on the
road is faring.
“This is a major win secured by the European Parliament
which will go towards ensuring that the gap between what is
the tested in the laboratory and what is actually emitted
on the road is narrowed” said Ms Dalli.
Social impacts of decarbonisation
Manufacturers whose average emissions exceed the limits
will have to pay an excess emissions premium. By 2023, the
European Commission will have to evaluate the possibility
of allocating these amounts to a specific fund for a just
transition towards zero-emission mobility, and to support
skills formation of workers in the automotive sector.
Lifecycle analysis
Full life-cycle emissions from cars should be assessed at
EU level. No later than 2023, the Commission will have to
evaluate the possibility of a common methodology for the
assessment and the consistent data reporting. If
appropriate, legislatiion should follow.
Next steps
The provisional agreement will have to be endorsed by both
Parliament and Council to become law. The Environment
committee will vote on the text in January 2019.
Background
Transport is the only major sector in the EU where
greenhouse gas emissions are still rising. In order to meet
the commitments made at COP21 in 2015, the decarbonisation
of the entire transport sector needs to be accelerated, on
the path towards zero-emission by mid-century.
Today's agreement is part of the clean mobility
package and a step towards the modernisation of
the European mobility sector. The Clean mobility package
was proposed to ensure that Europe takes decisive action to
reduce emissions in the fields of transport and stays
competitive.
