Intensifying pressure to cut vehicle CO_2 emissions by whatever means

摘要

EU legislation for cars already calls for a mandatory fleet average of 130g/km to be phased in progressively between 2012 and 2015. By 2012, 65 per cent of each manufacturer's newly registered cars in the EU must comply on average with the limit already set by the legislation. This will rise to 75 per cent in 2013,80 per cent in 2014, and 100 per cent from 2015 onwards. Described as CO_2 legislation with teeth, there is a big financial stick for manufacturers not complying with these levels. For instance, if the average CO_2 emissions of a manufacturer's fleet exceed its limit value in any year from 2012, the manufacturer has to pay an excess emissions premium for each car registered. This premium amounts to EUR5 for the first g/km of exceedance, EUR15 for the second g/km, EUR25 for the third g/km, and EUR95 for each subsequent g/km. From 2019, already the first g/km of exceedance will cost EUR95.