The European Environment Agency (EEA) published a report which shows that several carmakers need to make their fleets even more carbon-efficient in order to meet 2012 carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions target. The data also show that almost all manufacturers must reduce emissions to meet 2015 targets under European legislation for new passenger cars.

According to the data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA), most carmakers must further improve carbon efficiency by 2015. In fact, almost all manufacturers must reduce emissions to meet 2015 targets under European legislation for new passenger cars, based on average CO2 emissions for each manufacturer. Several carmakers need to make their fleets even more carbon-efficient in order to meet 2012 carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions target. In March 2011, the Council already adopted the first CO2 emission standards for small vans in the EU.

In order to reduce the CO2 emissions of the road transport sector, the European legislation has introduced mandatory CO2 emissions limits for new passenger cars. The average emission level of a new car registered in the European Union in 2010 was 140.3 g CO2/km. Car manufacturers must achieve a CO2 emission target of 130 g CO2/km by 2015 as an average value for the fleet of new cars registered in the EU. This target will be gradually phased in from 2012. This measure has been taken because road transport is responsible for 17.5% of overall greenhouse gas emissions in Europe and its emissions increased by 23% between 1990 and 2009.

The legislation provides for incentives to car manufacturers to reduce the CO2 emissions of their vehicles. For calculating average emissions, certain types of vehicles receive additional incentives, including super credits for low emitting vehicles (<50g CO2/km) and other credits for biofuels and certain efficiency measures. Fines for failing to meet the target (also known as ‘excess emissions premiums’) will be calculated on a progressive scale for each additional gram of CO2 above the target, multiplied by the number of cars sold.