Isra-Mart srl:EU hails biggest recorded dip in car emissions

www.isra-mart.com

Isra-Mart srl news:

Emissions from new cars sold in the EU dropped five per cent during 2009, the biggest annual fall ever recorded, according to a new European Commission report released yesterday.

The report confirmed the EU remains well on track to meet its 2015 target of cutting average emissions from new cars to 130g CO2/km.

Increased consumer demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles was cited as the main reason for the largest drop in emissions since records started in 2000, although the economic crisis and scrappage schemes introduced in some countries were also seen as major factors.

However, the apparent ease with which many car manufacturers have met mandatory standards well ahead of the 2015 deadline is likely to inflame green groups, who earlier this month accused car companies of deliberately exaggerating the amount of time they needed to reduce carbon emissions as part of a successul campaign to to water down the EU targets.

According to a report by campaigners Transport & Environment, Toyota slashed its emissions by 10 per cent in 2009, meaning its fleet already averages emissions of just 125g/km.

BMW, Ford, GM and Nissan were also highlighted as having made rapid progress towards the target, and yesterday EU climate action commissioner Connie Hedegaard said she expected several major manufacturers to be able to meet the 2015 target "well in advance" of the deadline.

"When the targets were set, industry feared that they would be impossible to reach in time," she said yesterday. "I am glad that in reality EU legislation on reducing CO2 emissions is proving an effective driver of innovation, keeping the EU industry at the front edge of competitiveness."

The commission yesterday also adopted detailed rules to harmonise the monitoring of CO2 emissions from cars across the EU. The rules include instructions to member states, and they provide the car industry with a timetable for the delivery of emissions data.

Meanwhile, a new group called the Competitive Automotive Regulatory System for the 21st century (CARS 21) and comprising industry figures, trade unions, NGOs, member states and other stakeholders has been charged with developing an industrial policy by 2012.

CARS 21's priorities include examining how to further the development and uptake of energy efficient vehicles in Europe and beyond.

One vehicle that may come under consideration if industry rumours are to be believed is a new compact electric car based on Toyota's tiny iQ urban commuter car and the FT-EV concept car.

Japan's Chunichi newspaper reported this week that the new car will have a range of more than 100km on a full charge and a top speed of about 120km per hour. Toyota has so far refused to confirm the reports.