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The European Parliament has finally agreed on a target to reduce the carbon emissions from vans.
Proposals made by the European Commission had to be amended after opposition from Germany, home to large manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz.
It had proposed introducing a maximum level of 135 g/km of carbon by 2020, but the new agreement will see van manufacturing lowering emissions to 175 g/km by 2017 and 147 g/km of CO2 by 2020.
Welcoming the deal, EU climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard said: “Although less ambitious than our proposal, it will stimulate innovation.
“It will also generate fuel savings for consumers, mainly small and medium sized enterprises.”
However, critics have argued that the progress in carbon reduction already made by manufacturers indicates that this target is not tough enough.
Last week the European Parliament, Council and Commission came to an informal agreement to set these new targets ahead of Germany’s commitment.
Germany’s environment minister Norbert Roettgen commented: “It is feasible, it is a technological challenge, but it keeps us in a leadership position.”
Posted by Emily Thomas
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For more information please see: European Commission Climate Action
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