Deal reached: New CO2 emission targets for cars to spur cleaner driving for all Europeans

18 December 2018
by BEUC -- last modified 18 December 2018

CO2 emissions are directly related to our cars' fuel economy. Reducing them will benefit the environment, public health and our wallets. Today's decision is an important milestone to lower the cost of driving - with projected fuel savings of up to thousands of euros over the next decade – and push car makers to place low-emission and fuel-efficient cars on the market.

The European Union's institutions have agreed to:

• Reduce car CO2 emissions 15% by 2025 and 37.5% by 2030.
• Work on a mechanism that should limit the gap between laboratory and real-world fuel consumption values. It is unclear at this stage what exactly this mechanism will look like, however.
• Introduce a bonus scheme that incentivises car makers to put cleaner cars – 'low and zero-emission vehicles' – on the market.

Monique Goyens, Director General of The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), commented:

"Currently, there are only a small number of low-emission cars, such as electric ones, on the market. Today's decision on CO2 targets for cars should push manufacturers to put more models of these vehicles in their showrooms. This is a good development. Only with more low-emission cars on the market can consumers make a meaningful choice whether an electric, hybrid or more fuel-efficient conventional car is the best option for their daily needs."

BEUC acts as the umbrella group in Brussels for its members and its main task is to represent them at European level and defend the interests of all Europe's consumers. BEUC investigates EU decisions and developments likely to affect consumers, with a special focus on five areas identified as priorities by its members: Financial Services, Food, Digital Rights, Consumer Rights & Enforcement and Sustainability.

European Consumer Organisation (BEUC)