Brussels, 30/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - According to the figures published by the European Environment Agency on Wednesday 30 April, average passenger car fleet emissions fell by 3.9% to 127g CO2/km in 2013.
In 1995 these emissions were 186g CO2/km, which means that there has been a 31.7% decrease over the period, says the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). Erik Jonnaert, Secretary General of the ACEA, said that this result was “thanks to huge efforts by European automobile manufacturers and billions of euros worth of investment in R&D”. The automobile sector is now on track for reaching the targets set out in legislation: 95g by the end of 2020 (see EUROPE 11035).
The Transport and Environment (T&E) Group acknowledged the progress accomplished but underlined the fact that, due to shortcomings in the fuel tests used by manufacturers, there was a disparity between the figures put forward by the automobile industry and the real situation on the roads. This is why the Commission is seeking to introduce a new test procedure in 2017 (WLTP, World Light Duty Test Procedure), as defined by the UN and which is aimed to more accurately reflect the real conditions on the roads. (AN)