Position paper – Reducing CO2 emissions from passenger cars and light commercial vehicles post-2020

Compared to 1995 figures, today’s average emissions from newly-registered vehicles within the EU have decreased by 33.7%; by 2021 those emissions will have fallen with 42% when compared to 2005. Building on this track record, ACEA wants to contribute constructively to the debate on post-2020 CO2 targets.

Europe is entering into the next phase of defining new climate objectives for 2030, both at the European and global level, following the recent COP21 conference. At the same time, the automotive industry is actively contributing to the development of the new test cycle (WLTP) to measure emissions, which is expected to be introduced around 2020. However, for the moment there is still a lot of uncertainty with regard to the implementation of WLTP and related testing conditions. For that reason, it is important to properly implement the new test cycle before setting targets for the period after 2020.

At the same time, policy makers need to strike a greater balance between the different world regions, and between environmental protection and the competitiveness of the auto industry. Future policy should also reconcile the share of responsibilities between stakeholders. By definition, manufacturers don’t have all of the answers to questions about how cars are used by drivers. Before tabling a new proposal, it is also important to examine in greater depth those factors beyond the responsibility of manufacturers that also contribute to CO2 emissions. ACEA calls upon EU policy makers to ensure that a future policy framework takes a more holistic approach to reducing CO2 emissions, especially when compared to current legislation.