EU policy makers are being urged to implement various emergency measures, including a €40bn low interest loan package and incentives to scrap cars over eight years old, to help car manufacturers and consumers switch over to low-emission vehicles. The call comes from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) in the wake of the current global financial situation.
"Car makers face increasingly hesitant consumers and call on governments to respond, stimulate the economy, relieve the credit crunch and restore consumer confidence. Only then will consumers have the means and the confidence to invest in new vehicles," said Christian Streiff, president of ACEA, and CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroen.
"The proposed loans-package will give an important and welcome signal to consumers and financial markets," he added.
The EU environment committee has ruled that car makers selling their vehicles in the EU should ensure that the average CO² emissions are no more than 120g/km in 2012. Penalties for non-compliance would start at €20 per car sold and per g/km over the limit in 2012, and rise to €95 per g/km in 2015, they said. The committee also decided the EU should bring in a further target of 95 g/km by 2020.
The proposed law is now set to go to the parliament's plenary session later this month and to the council of EU member states, with experts saying that it is likely to face another intense lobbying battle before final acceptance. It has been met with dismay by the European car manufacturers.
Running light proposal
All new cars and LCVs will have to be fitted with 'daytime running lights' from 2011 if proposals from the European Commission are agreed by the European Parliament.
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