New car CO2 targets will reduce emissions and cut motorists' running costs

11 Jul 2008

UK - Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has launched a consultation on European Comission proposals to introduce compulsory CO2 targets for new cars to reduce carbon emissions, make cars more fuel efficient and cut the running costs of new cars.

The proposed target of 130gCO2/km is an important step forward in tackling climate change and will incentivize the use of technology that will improve the fuel efficiency of new cars.

A longer term target of 100gCO2/km by 2020 urged by the government would diliver a cut in CO2 emissions from new cars by an extra five million tonnes a year by 2020, in addition to the six million tonnes cut under EU proposals. It could also reduce the running costs for motorists buying new cars by about £500 a year by 2020, a particularly important consideration at a time of rising oil prices.

Furthermore the government wants to avoid the regulation creating competitive imbalance between different types of car manufacturers and therefore welcomes provisions in the EU proposals for setting different targets for manufacturers producing small numbers of cars.

Although the consultation formally closes on 3 October responders are urged to do so as soon as possible.