The FIA's extensive CO2 modelling (*) recognises that the European Commission's latest proposal to reduce CO2 emissions to 130g/km is realistic and achievable.

The FIA welcomes the Commisson's proposal, it's clear from our CO2 model that without this action the EU would fall far short of the 2012 targets already in place.

The FIA's 'Make Cars Green' declaration (**), unanimously backed by motoring organisations across the world, calls for complementary technology and consumer action to be taken into account in the race to reduce emissions. We are glad that the Commission has also recognised that this could lead to a further saving of 10g/km.  To facilitate this, the Commission must make sure that the right incentives are put in place.

Reaching 120g/km by 2012 will greatly contribute to the EU's environmental commitment, but with the global car market set to double by 2012, the EU must recognise that global problems cannot be solved by regional approaches alone.  As part of the 'Make Cars Green' declaration the FIA is calling for a worldwide benchmark of 140g/km, to make it possible to assess progress on fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction across the global fleet.

If the Commission backed such a proposal it would allow the technological improvements made in Europe to be made available on the global car market, and have a far larger effect on the reduction of levels of CO2 worldwide.

FIA President Max Mosley said,

"The FIA considers that a serious rethink on fuel economy and C02 reduction is required across the motor vehicle sector worldwide. The FIA is proposing a global framework which will create a level playing field allowing manufacturers and governments across different markets and regions to work together on this problem."

 

Notes to editors:

The FIA, the world's leading motoring and mobility organisation, represents via its affiliated members, national motoring and touring organisations, over 100 million motorists worldwide and 34 million motorists in the European Union, it is also the governing body of world motorsport.
www.fia.com

(*) The model developed by FIA member ADAC is based on extensive data research on existing vehicle fleets registered between 2001 and 2006. It extrapolates the information to develop market evolution scenarios. The model examines the effect of different factors such as the share of different fuel types, consumer demand patterns, and technological developments, on the average fleet emissions by 2012.

(**) www.fia.com/public/declaration.pdf

For more information please contact:

Gus Glover - +33 1 43 12 58 29