Cars are responsible for an eighth of Europe’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The amount of CO2 produced is directly related to the amount of fuel the vehicle consumes – lower carbon vehicles are therefore more fuel efficient and cheaper to run.
In 2009, the EU set legally-binding targets for new cars to emit 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre (g/km) by 2015 and 95g/km in 2020. In July 2012, the Commission announced the outcome of its review of the modalities (ways) of achieving the 2020 target. In June 2013, a first reading agreement was reached on the proposal confirming the 95g/km target. Following the agreement the German Government successfully delayed a vote in Council and has attempting to overturn the deal. The effect of Germany’s latest proposal, a phase-in of the regulation is described in this paper.