EU DECIDES ABOUT LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLE EMISSIONS
The European Commission is proposing new legislation to reduce the average CO2 emissions of light commercial vehicles to 175grammes/km. The proposal will be phased in from 2014-2016, and contains a long term emission reduction target of 135grammes/km by 2020. The format of the proposed legislation is similar to the proposals on passenger cars agreed at the end of 2008.
It is one of the last outstanding elements of the EU's strategy to improve the fuel economy of light-duty vehicles. The draft legislation is closely modelled on the legislation on CO2 emissions from passenger cars.
Manufacturers must ensure that from 2014 vehicles registered in the EU during that time have average emissions that are below the limit value curve, when 75% of the vehicles are taken into account. For the calendar year 2015, the percentage rises to 80% and from 2016, 100% of the fleet have to comply on average. Vehicles affected are those used to carry goods weighing up to 3.5tonnes when laden and which weigh less than 2.61tonnes when empty.
