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Officials are expected to introduce new standards for emissions for beyond 2020, when current guidelines run out. Any new proposals will be made in order to help the continent achieve its goal of cutting overall CO2 emissions by at least 40% below levels recorded in 1990, by 2030.113885_EU_Pexles_Image_freestocks.jpg

According to the news agency Reuters, the Commission plans to set a target for reducing emissions of passenger car fleets between 25% and 35% by 2030. This is above a proposal by automotive manufacturers, and tabled by European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) calling for a 20% reduction target over current levels, with allowances for any slow movement in the electric vehicle (EV) market.

In a nod to manufacturers’ concerns that infrastructure for electric vehicles is lacking, the proposal will include €800 million of EU funding for governments, regions and cities to build accessible charging points, plus €200 million for battery development between 2018 and 2020.

Speaking about the proposed reduction by manufacturers, ACEA President, Dieter Zetsche commented in September: ‘This is a steep reduction. It is also in line with what is expected of other industry sectors, as well as the EU Climate and Energy Framework and the global Paris agreement. In our opinion, this conditionality principle links Europe’s long-term climate objectives to the reality of the market. Currently the reality is that the market uptake of electrically-chargeable vehicles is low – and this is not due to lack of availability and choice.’

However, seven governments have written a letter to the Commission to demand that the highest level of reduction is called for in the proposals. ‘Without ambitious targets, the EU will struggle to meet its climate goals,’ they wrote in a letter to the Commission on 25 October. The transport and environment ministers of Luxembourg, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Ireland and Slovenia signed the letter.

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