Emission performance standards for new light commercial vehicles

The Council discussed the proposed CO2 emission standards for light vans.

Ministers endorsed the outcome of informal negotiations between the presidency and the European Parliament for an agreement at first reading.

The agreed text introduces a limit of 175g CO2/km for the average CO2 emissions from new light vans registered in the EU. This target will apply to a small van of average mass while specific targets for individual vehicles would vary according to their weight. The objective will be phased in between 2014 and 2017.

In order to give planning certainty to industry, a long-term target for CO2 emissions of light commercial vehicles in 2020 has been included. Council and Parliament agreed on a target of 147g CO2/km. The modalities for reaching the target are to be established in a revision of the regulation by 1 January 2013.

To incentivise investment in new technologies, from 2014 producers have to pay a penalty if their fleet fails to meet the objective. As in the legislation for cars, the premium depends on how far manufacturers exceed the target. A maximum penalty of EUR 95 per car for exceeding the target has been agreed.

The agreed text will be confirmed by the European Parliament at an upcoming plenary session and adopted formally by the Council after legal-linguistic revision.