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EC Plans To Make Aurtomakers Cut Carbon Dioxide Emissions Further By 2012

The European Commission proposal for car manufacturers to cut CO2 emission further by 2012 is facing strong opposition from the European Automotive Manufacturer’s Association..

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed new rules for car manufacturers to cut carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) from new cars sold in the European Union by 2012.

The plan calls for a reduction of CO2 emissions to 120 grams per kilometer for cars sold or imported into the EU by 2012. This is a drop from the previous 1995 level of 186 grams.

The plan also calls for increasing the use of biofuels and cleaner fossil fuels to 5.7 percent by 2010, meant to aid in reducing global warming.

According to research by the Commission, average emissions from new cars sold in the EU-15 fell by 12.4 percent, from 186g CO2/km to 163g CO2/km between 1995 and 2004.

The European Automotive Manufacturers Association (ACEA) says it is strongly committed to reducing CO2 emissions, but the organization opposes the focus on the automotive industry and suggests other sectors should participate in the reduction of emissions.

“The European car industry has reduced CO2 emissions by a significant 13 percent,” the statement said. “Opting for vehicle technology only will lead to a prohibitive rise of production and retail costs, resulting in a loss of jobs and relocation of production outside Europe to countries that care less about global warming.”

ACEA represents the thirteen major European vehicle manufacturers.

The legislative proposal is already listed in the Commission's 2007 Legislative and Work Program but additional prep work for the proposal may take until mid-2008.

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