EU Agrees to Emissions Compromise with 95g/km of CO2 but More Supercredits

The European Union has reached a compromise on CO2 emissions for 2020, and now it must be ratified by the member states. The compromise sets an automotive emissions average of 95g/km of CO2 for 2020 but allows automakers to earn more CO2 supercredits. If passed, a specific emissions limit will be set for each automaker depending on its fleet size. 

The German government and German luxury automakers forced the compromise; they wanted to carry over credits that would have expired in 2020 for their large luxury sedans. The compromise was brokered by Ireland that currently holds the EU presidency. 

"This agreement clearly represents a win-win for climate, consumers, innovation and jobs and provides another important step towards a competitive, low-carbon economy," said Irish Environment Minister Phil Hogan.

The compromise allows automakers to receive double the CO2 supercredits only for 2020 for each low emission car sold. Those CO2 supercredits can then be used for cars built after 2020. It means that the Germans can sell more large-engine luxury cars after 2020. They claim that it also helps struggling French automakers because they make mostly small, efficient cars and can sell the CO2 supercredits to other, more polluting automakers. 

Lobbying group Transport & Environment predicts that this will actually mean average emissions for the first few years will be closer to 97.5g/km of CO2. 

The EU is already working on the automotive CO2 targets for 2025, and the first proposal will come in 2015. Currently, they are debating a range of emissions between 68 and 78g/km of CO2.

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Source: Automotive News Europe