CO2 emissions – passenger cars and commercial vehicles (2012)

See EESC opinion in all languages under Related documents at the end of this page.

The EESC reflects in the opinion its view on two Commission proposals: COM(2012) 393 final - 2012/0190 (COD) and COM(2012) 394 final - 2012/0191 (COD)

Key points:

The EESC:

• Supports all Commission (EC) initiatives related to cutting CO2 emissions, in pursuit of the goal of a carbon-free Europe by 2050.
• Calls for the quick adoption of the regulations, taking into account its suggestions.
• Recommends reviewing the targets by 2017, in the light of developments in technology, projected market trends and the need to combat GHG emissions.
• Recommends devising a model for calculating CO2 that factors in all emissions deriving from car manufacturing. The carbon footprint should be taken into account with regard to the entire lifecycle of vehicles.
• Calls on the EC to give further consideration to the proposed linear function (i.e. the % slope), bearing in mind that opting for a 60% slope entails a 4.6g surplus of CO2 for passenger cars. The nearer the percentage is to 100, the more this favours heavy vehicles.
• Recommends adopting a labelling system for the technical characteristics of the emissions of each individual vehicle model.

Other relevant EESC opinions:

• Motor vehicle emissions (CESE 1500/2008, INT/401)
• Opinions on Automotive theme

For more information please contact the INT Section Secretariat