• Parliament votes to weaken van CO2 law

    The European Parliament's environment committee (ENVI) has voted to weaken a proposed law setting fuel efficiency standards for new vans.

    [mailchimp_signup][/mailchimp_signup]The committee voted this morning to:
    – weaken the long term target proposed by the Commission of 135g CO2/km by 2020 to 140g; the short term target of 175g for 2016 was not changed;
    – weaken the maximum penalties manufacturers pay for failing to meet targets from EUR 120 to EUR 95 per gram of CO2 exceeded per van;
    – extend the period for which manufacturers receive ‘supercredits’, allowing them to sell several gas guzzling vans for every ultra-low emission (eg: electric)
    van they sell – a further effective weakening of the overall CO2 target;
    – cancel plans to introduce speed limiters on vans, an amendment to the legislation that was proposed by the Parliament’s Industry (ITRE) and Transport
    (TRAN) committees in earlier votes.
    Kerstin Meyer of Transport & Environment, the EU sustainable transport campaign group said: “This vote is bad news for the millions of companies that could
    benefit from fuel efficient vans to save on fuel bills.  By weakening the long term target, and the penalties, it also sends the wrong signal to the industry.”
    The Committee’s vote is also out of touch with recent developments in the market for new vans, according to T&E.    
    The latest Volkswagen T5 van achieved a reduction of about 10% in fuel consumption and CO2 compared to the 2007 model. The T5 was the 3rd biggest selling
    van in Europe in 2007 according to JATO dynamics.  The new Ford Transit ECOnetic, on sale since late 2009 has CO2 emissions 11% better than the most efficient
    Ford Transit previously available in the UK.  The Ford Transit was the best selling van in Europe in 2007 according to JATO dynamics.  Renault’s new Master is
    15% more efficient than the best Renault Master from 2007.
    A speed limiter for vans could save CO2 emissions and lives, and would bring vans into line with all other commercial vehicles driven in Europe today.  The
    Parliament’s ITRE and TRAN committees both voted to introduce speed limiters, and T&E urges the full parliament to reconsider the idea at its full vote
    on the legislation later this year.  
    The European Parliament must also then agree on the final legislation with EU Member States