The European Commission wants to force the continent's carmakers to reduce CO2 emissions in their vehicles by 18 per cent by 2012 -- the year the Kyoto Protocol expires.
An excerpt from the BBC story:
Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas had wanted to oblige carmakers to achieve the full 25% emissions cut alone, but ran into strong opposition from the German car industry and Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen.
Missed targets
Industry sources say Mr Dimas's proposal would have pushed up the cost of a new car by 2,500 euros (£1,640), though other studies suggested the increase would be as low as 600 euros (£400).
Reports from Brussels say the commission will propose a package of measures designed to bring emissions from the average new car down to 120g of CO2 per kilometre by 2012 - 25% below the 2005 level of 162g/km.
Carmakers would be responsible for getting emissions down to 130g/km through the use of better car technology, under the commission proposal.
Increased use of biofuels, better tyres and measures to ensure drivers change gear at the right time would help to save the extra 10g/km.
European carmakers agreed in 1998 to aim for average emissions of 140g/km by 2008/9, but are no longer expected to meet this target.
The EU originally wanted to get emissions under 120g/km by 2005, but the deadline slipped to 2012.
