Road transport: Reducing CO2 emissions from vehicles

Policy

Road transport contributes about one-fifth of the EU's total emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), the main greenhouse gas. While these emissions fell by 3.3% in 2012, they are still 20.5% higher than in 1990. Transport is the only major sector in the EU where greenhouse gas emissions are still rising.

Evening traffic jam with brake lights © Digital Vision/Digital Vision

Light-duty vehicles

Light-duty vehicles – cars and vans – produce around 15% of the EU's emissions of CO₂.

EU legislation sets binding emission targets for new car and van fleets. As the automotive industry works towards meeting these targets, average emissions are falling each year.

The targets for 2015 (for cars) and 2017 (for vans) were achieved already in 2013.

In November 2017, the Commission presented a legislative proposal setting new CO₂ emission standards for cars and vans for the period after 2020.

CO₂ labelling of cars

To help drivers choose new cars with low fuel consumption, EU legislation requires Member States to ensure that relevant information is provided to consumers, including a label showing a car's fuel efficiency and CO₂ emissions.

Heavy-duty vehicles

Heavy-duty vehicles – trucks and buses – are responsible for about a quarter of CO₂ emissions from road transport in the EU and for some 6% of total EU emissions.

Despite some improvements in fuel consumption efficiency in recent years, these emissions are still rising, mainly due to increasing road freight traffic.

The Commission is working on a comprehensive strategy to reduce CO₂ emissions from heavy-duty vehicles in both freight and passenger transport.

Fuel quality

Fuel quality is an important element in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport. EU legislation requires the greenhouse gas intensity of vehicle fuels to be cut by up to 10% by 2020.

Documentation

Documents relating to the strategy to reduce CO₂ emissions from cars and vans

Documents relating to the progress report

Progress report on implementation of the Community's integrated approach to reduce CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles (10 November 2010)

Studies

Supporting studies to develop the EU strategy on CO₂ and cars

The information and views set out in the reports and studies published below are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the Commission. The Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in these reports and studies. Neither the Commission nor any person acting on the Commission’s behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Year	Study
2016	Data gathering and analysis to improve understanding of the second hand car and LCV markets and implications for cost effectiveness and social equity of LDV CO2 regulations Consideration of LDV leasing in relation to the cost effectiveness of LDV CO2 regulation Consideration of the role of speed limiters in the light commercial vehicle CO2 regulation Consideration of the impacts of LDV scrappage schemes Exploration of EU road vehicle fuel consumption and disaggregation Fitment and pricing of optional extras onto new motor vehicles in the UK and their resale in the used market Supporting analysis on real-world light-duty vehicle CO2 emissions
2015	Evaluation of Light Duty Vehicle CO₂ emission Regulations Competitiveness impacts of post-2020 LDV CO₂ Regulation Competitiveness study mindmaps LDV mass reduction potential and future CO₂ Regulation (Appendices) Impact of mileage on cost effectiveness of LDV CO₂ Regulation Improvements to the definition of lifetime mileage of light duty vehicles Correction algorithms for WLTP chassis dynamometer and coast-down testing
2013	Consideration of alternative approaches to regulating CO₂ emissions from light duty road vehicles for the period after 2020 Analysis of the influence of metrics for future CO₂ legislation for Light Duty Vehicles on deployment of technologies and GHG abatement costs
2011	Impacts of electric vehicles - Summary Report An overview of Electric Vehicles on the market and in development Assessment of electric vehicle and battery technogy Assessment of the future elecricity sector Economic analysis and business models Impact analysis for market uptake scenarios and policy implications
2011	Uncertainty/Sensitivity analysis of the transport model TREMOVE
2011	JRC Report: Analyzing on-road emissions of light-duty vehicles with Portable Emission Measurement Systems (PEMS) - Corrigendum
2010	Graphical User Interface for the European Transport Model TREMOVE
2010	Update and further development of transport model TREMOVE
2007	JRC Report: Mobile Measurement of Pollutant Emissions and Fuel Consumption of Road Vehicles In Real-World Driving Situations Using Portable Emission Measurement Systems (PEMS)
2005	Service contract to carry out economic analysis and business impact assessment of CO₂ emission reduction measures in the automotive sector: Final Report and Annexes)