MEPs back tougher limits on car carbon emissions

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have voted for one of the most stringent standards on carbon emissions for new cars. The new rules limit emissions to 95 grams of […]

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have voted for one of the most stringent standards on carbon emissions for new cars.

The new rules limit emissions to 95 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre (g/km) as an average across all new cars sold from 2021 compared to the existing limit of 130 g/km.

The European Commission had proposed the target should apply from 2020 but full implementation has been delayed by a year following Germany’s campaign for more time to implement the legislation.

EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said: “Ende gut, alles gut (All’s well that ends well).

“The 95g target is achievable by employing technologies available today. But it is clear that long-term clarity is important for the car industry. This is why the Commission will now focus on the next step and come up with ideas for a post-2020 target in the coming months”.

The move is expected to cut carbon emissions by around 15 million tonnes every year.

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