The auto industry should stop selling its most gas-guzzling vans and minibuses in the European Union by 2016 or face fines, the EU's executive arm said on Wednesday.
The deadline would be four years later than first envisaged after powerful automakers pushed hard for a delay until the EU's 27 member states have recovered from the economic crisis.
Average carbon emissions for each van would have to be cut by 14 percent between 2014 and 2016 to 175 grams for every kilometer driven, compared to an EU average of 203 grams today, the European Commission said.
By 2020, van makers would have to hit a target of 135 grams.
The launch of the proposal was delayed several times in recent weeks as officials in the Commission's industry and environment units wrangled over the details.
Europe's big auto-making nations--France, Italy, and Germany--had pushed the Commission for a delay to 2017.
Van makers that overshoot the targets face fines.
In an initial period until 2018, the penalty will be 5 euros ($7.40) per van for each gram in excess, 15 euros for the second gram, 25 for the third, and 120 for every further gram exceeding the limit.
From 2019, the first gram will cost 120 euros per vehicle.
(Reporting by Pete Harrison, editing by Timothy Heritage and Dale Hudson)
Story Copyright (c) 2009 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
Additional stories from Reuters
We've all heard the recommendations by now.
Proper tire pressure, removing the roof rack, closing windows above 50 mph, and using a car's air flow system before going straight for the AC can all lead to lowering a car's overall fuel consumption.
But exactly how bad are drivers when it comes to abruptly starting and stopping? And are they really shifting their manual transmission car correctly for optimizing fuel?
Fiat's new optional Eco Drive software will let its drivers know, the company announced earlier this month at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.
All Fiat drivers need is a USB drive and Microsoft's Blue&Me system.
Blue&Me is an onboard computer system currently offered in some Fiats and Alfa Romeos, and possibly soon, in Ford cars, as well. It enables drivers to listen to their MP3 player, make calls on their cell phone, and have text messages read aloud to them. The system includes a USB port, which Fiat has announced could be the key to a 15 percent reduction in a car's CO2 emissions.
Drivers can download the free Eco Drive software from the Internet to their computer and plug in any normal USB drive. Drivers then plug the prepped USB drive into their car's Blue&Me system and it will automatically start collecting data on the car.
The program will measure a driver's fuel consumption, speed, braking style, and even how efficiently he or she shifts gears with their manual transmission. It seems very similar in functionality to the PLX Kiwi from PLX Devices that plugs in to a car's diagnostics port.
Upon plugging the USB drive back into the computer, the software does an analysis of driving habits and makes specific suggestions for improvement. Users can also opt to join an online community of drivers called Fiat ecoVille.
The new software ties in to a campaign Fiat already has in play giving tips on saving fuel. While the bias is toward the Fiat car, the tips are useful for any driver.
For those non-Fiat drivers interested in collecting this type of data, there's always the PLX Kiwi or the Scan Gauge II.
- prev
- 1
- next
