The European Commission today put forward proposals to implement targets that will further considerably reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars and light commercial vehicles (vans) by 2020.

Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said: "With our proposals we are not only protecting the climate and saving consumers money. We are also boosting innovation and competitiveness in the automotive sector. And we will create substantial numbers of jobs as a result. This is a clear win-win situation for everyone. This is one more important step towards a competitive, low-carbon economy. More CO2 reductions beyond 2020 need to be prepared and these will be considered in consultation with stakeholders."

The mandatory targets for 2020 are already envisaged in existing legislation but are subject to implementation. Following thorough technical and economic analysis by the Commission, the Regulations proposed today establish the modalities by which the targets would be achieved.

The proposals will cut average emissions from new cars to 95 grams of CO2 per km (g CO2/km) in 2020 from 135.7g in 2011 and a mandatory target of 130g in 2015. Emissions from vans will be reduced to 147g CO2/km in 2020 from 181.4g in 2010 (the latest year for which figures are available) and a mandatory target of 175g in 2017.

Commissioner Hedegaard on the proposals

Commissioner Hedegaard's press conference

Read more:

• IP/12/771: Further CO2 emission reductions from cars and vans: a win-win for the climate, consumers, innovation and jobs  
• MEMO/12/548: Questions and Answers on the proposals to reduce CO2 emissions from cars and vans further by 2020