EU preps new van emission standards

The European Commission is to propose new vehicle emission standards for vans and light trucks that would cap average CO2 emissions at 175g/km by 2013.

According to draft proposals seen by the Financial Times, the Commission is working to apply emissions standards similar to those for cars, which were introduced last year following years of delays.

However, the Commission can expect a tough battle to get the new standards passed after auto industry lobby groups moved swiftly to criticise the proposed target as untenable.

Ivan Hodac of EU motoring lobby group Acea dismissed the plans as " unenforceable", arguing that with average emissions for light trucks and vans currently standing at about 200g/km, there was not sufficient time for the industry to develop vehicles capable of meeting the new target.

"We have nothing against reasonable regulation but these proposals will put in danger the competitiveness of the industry," he added.

Vans and light vehicles have not escaped the collapse in the auto market over the past year, with a market study from research firm Polk showing that sales in Western Europe will fall nine per cent from 2008 to 2009.

Hodac said the new vehicles have a seven-to-10-year development lead time which would make any caps by 2013 unachievable. He added that compliance with the proposed standard would also add more than £5,000 to the price of each vehicle.

Vans and light vehicles have so far been excluded from the emissions caps for cars agreed last year which set a level of 130g/km by 2015.

Hodac's comments on development lead time and cost echo precisely Acea's campaign against the introduction of emissions standards for cars, the negotiation of which took two years. The final version was watered down slightly and the introduction date was delayed after intensive lobbying from Acea and other auto industry groups.

The EC proposals on vans and light trucks are due to be finalised by the end of September before going to the European Parliament.