Regulation on CO2 from light commercial vehicles

On 28 October 2009 the European Commission adopted a new legislative proposal to reduce CO2 emissions from light commercial vehicles (vans). A provisional version of the proposal and accompanying press release can be downloaded below:

The draft legislation is closely modelled on the legislation on the CO2 emissions from passenger cars (Regulation 443/2009). Key elements of the adopted text are as follows:

Target dates: the EU fleet average for all new light commercial vehicles (vans) of 175 g/km will apply as of 2014. The requirement will be phased-in as of 2014 when 75% of each manufacturer's newly registered vans must comply on average with the limit value curve set by the legislation. This will rise to 80% in 2015, and 100% from 2016 onwards.
Limit value curve: emissions limits are set according to the mass of vehicle, using a limit value curve. The curve is set in such a way that a fleet average of 175 grams of CO2 per kilometre is achieved. A so-called limit value curve of 100% implies that heavier vans are allowed higher emissions than lighter vans while preserving the overall fleet average. Only the fleet average is regulated, so manufacturers will still be able to make vehicles with emissions above the limit value curve provided these are balanced by other vehicles which are below the curve.
Vehicles affected: the vehicles affected by the legislation are vans, which account for around 12% of the market for light-duty vehicles. This includes vehicles used to carry goods weighing up to 3.5t (vans and car-derived vans, known as N1) and which weigh less than 2610kg when empty.
Long-term target: a target of 135g/km is specified for the year 2020. Confirmation of the target with the updated impact assessment, the modalities for reaching this target, and the aspects of its implementation, including the excess emissions premium, will have to be defined in a review to be completed no later than the beginning of 2013.
Excess emissions premium for small excess emissions until 2018: if the average CO2 emissions of a manufacturer's fleet exceed its limit value in any year from 2014, the manufacturer has to pay an excess emissions premium for each van registered. This premium amounts to €5 for the first g/km of exceedance, €15 for the second g/km, €25 for the third g/km, and €120 for each subsequent g/km. From 2019, already the first g/km of exceedance will cost €120. This value is higher than the one for cars (€95) because of the differences in compliance costs.
Super-credits: vehicles with extremely low emissions (below 50g/km) will be given additional incentives whereby 1 low-emitting van will be counted as 2.5 vehicles in 2014, as 1.5 vehicles in 2015, and 1 vehicle from 2016.
Eco-innovations: because the test procedure used for vehicle type approval is outdated, certain innovative technologies cannot demonstrate their CO2-reducing effects under the type approval test. As an interim procedure until the test procedure is reviewed by 2014, manufacturers can be granted a maximum of 7g/km of emission credits on average for their fleet if they equip vehicles with innovative technologies, based on independently verified data.
Other flexibilities: manufacturers may group together to form a pool and act jointly in meeting the specific emissions targets. Independent manufacturers who sell fewer than 22,000 vehicles per year can also apply to the Commission for an individual target instead.

The proposal is a part of the Integrated Approach taken by the Commission in its revised strategy to reduce CO2 emissions from cars and light commercial vehicles

The study on 'Assessment with respect to long term CO2 emission targets for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles' is now available online. Click here.

Stakeholder consultation

The second stakeholder meeting to discuss possible options for the legislation setting the CO2 emissions standards for light-commercial vehicles took place on 9 March 2009. The report: Assessment of options for the legislation of CO2 emissions from light commercial vehicles served as the basis for the discussion.

Presentations given at the meeting:

Minutes of the meeting

Stakeholder consultation

In order to hear the views of the interested parties on the proposed regulation on CO2 emissions reduction from light commercial vehicles, the Commission organised a stakeholder meeting on 2 September 2008. The basis for the discussion was an Issue paper discussing the most important aspects of the proposal. The outcome of stakeholder consultation was summarised in the minutes of the meeting.

Stakeholders were invited to send their written responses to the consultation. The Commission received following responses:

In the Communication on the revised Community Strategy to reduce CO2 emissions from passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles of 7 February, 2007, the Commission stated that it would pursue an integrated approach with a view to reaching the EU objective of 120 g CO2/km by 2012. It announced a legislative framework to achieve the EU objective, focusing on mandatory reductions of the emissions of CO2 from cars to reach the objective of 130 g CO2/km for the average new car fleet, and a further reduction of 10 g CO2/km, or equivalent if technically necessary, by other technological improvements and by an increased use of biofuels. An increase in the fuel efficiency of light commercial vehicles to reach 175 g/km CO2 by 2012 and 160 g/km CO2 by 2015 is one of the measures, identified in the Communication.

In December 2008 the European Parliament adopted a regulation setting emission performance standards for new passenger cars. A legislative proposal on reduction of CO2 emissions from vans and minibuses will form a part of the legislative framework, complementing the abovementioned regulation on CO2 and passenger cars. The objective of the regulation in preparation is to set emission performance standards for new light-commercial vehicles. It will deliver part of the Community's integrated approach to reducing CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles.