17/01/2019 (Agence Europe) – The provisional interinstitutional agreement reached in December 2018 on the proposal for a Regulation setting new CO2 emission standards for passenger cars and vans after 2021 was confirmed on Wednesday 16 January by the Council (see EUROPE 12162, 12157). The ambassadors of the Twenty-Eight EU Member States have validated the text, which provides for a 37.5% reduction in emissions for the European car fleet and a 31% reduction for vans by 2030 compared to 2021. The reduction target will be 15% for both types of vehicles between 2025 and 2029. The sale of 15% of clean vehicles in the fleet in 2025 and 35% in 2030 per manufacturer would be rewarded by a lowering of the emission reduction target. The derogation for niche manufacturers producing few vehicles will apply until 2028. (AN)