Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said: "The 2015 CO2 target has already been achieved – this is good news. This demonstrates clearly the efficiency of the EU’s legislation in driving change. It also shows that European car makers are already steering towards the 2021 target of 95 grams and therefore proving us right when we said that the 2015 target was both achievable and cost-effective."
The provisional 2013 CO2 emissions average emissions level for new cars sold of 127g/km compares with 132.2g/km in 2012.
The 130g/km target for 2015 is mandatory and is being phased in since 2012. For 2013 this means that 75% of a manufacturer’s fleet must comply with the target. A manufacturer exceeding its target may have to pay an excess emissions premium. A new element for 2013 is that independent manufacturers that are responsible for fewer than 1000 registrations per year may request an exemption from meeting a target.
Car manufacturers will now be asked to verify compliance with their 2013 targets before this is checked by the Commission later this year, or to notify the Commission that they are eligible for an exemption.