EU Automakers on Track to Meet 2015 Emissions Goals

The European Union passed a rule that automakers must have fleet average CO2 emissions of 130g/km of CO2 by 2015, and an average of 95g/km of CO2 by 2020. Cars sold in the EU had average emissions of 136g/km of CO2 in 2011, which was down 3.3% from the previous year. It also means that EU automakers are just 4% away from the 2015 target. It appears that automakers in the EU will easily meet the 2015 standard. 

Looking at the averages does not tell the entire story, though. FiatFiatItaly, 1899 > present159 models
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, ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
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and PSA PeugeotPeugeotFrance, 1882 > present120 models
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-CitroënCitroënFrance, 1919 > present94 models
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were already below the 130g/km of CO2 average in 2011. In comparison, MazdaMazdaJapan, 1920 > present80 models
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had the farthest to go with average emissions of 146.6g/km of CO2.

Green Party members have criticized the rule for being too weak. It wanted even stricter standards on emissions. The original law proposed instituting the 130g/km of CO2 barrier by 2012 instead of 2015. 

It also claims that automakers have manipulated the testing procedure to make the official CO2 ratings lower than real world results. 

One thing is for certain that cars are getting cleaner, especially in Europe. The EU is forcing automakers into lower emissions, and EU members are passing laws giving tax benefits to drivers for driving even cleaner cars. Looking at the emissions of cars a decade ago, it is amazing that in eight years, the average European car will emit 95g/km of CO2. 

Source: Automotive News Europe