UK, France, Germany, Italy agree on CO2 limits

Italy has reportedly dropped its objections to a European Commission plan to introduce softer CO2 emission limits on new cars, leaving the door open for an EU-wide agreement on a 130g/km fleet wide CO2 limit. While still not official, inside government sources in Germany told Reuters that an agreement between Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had been made. The proposal now has to be approved by the European Parliament, with talks between parliament, member states and the European Commission scheduled to take place on November 24. The European Commission had proposed cutting CO2 emissions from cars by an average of 18% to 130g/km by 2012, but the plan was rejected by some member nations such as Germany, which claimed that its luxury-based industry will still have a harder time meeting the targets than the smaller-car producing French and Italian industries. More lenient standards were contrary to the central thesis of the EU's new emissions laws, according to Italy's government. Environment minister Stefania Prestigiacomo spoke out recently on the issue, calling the proposal unacceptable because it disadvantages carmakers that have already taken steps to build more efficient cars. Italy, though home to some of the world's most renowned supercars, is also home to some of the world's favorite minicars, including the Fiat 500.

By Canucko #1, Posted: 6/11/2008

I doubt that Merc is happy with the outcome. Too many 500hp auto's in its stable.
By Alan #2, Posted: 6/24/2008

I actually think this is a good proposal in some ways, increasing efficiency and mainting performance means all these overweight cars will finally be made lighter. Let's start by eliminating luxury SUV.
by skylinealx #3, Posted: 11/21/2008

I can't belive germany agreed to this..first the stupid 155mph speed muzzles on their cars now this?...soon we'll all be driving G-Wizes
by Roy #4, Posted: 11/23/2008

I think we can learn something from history - notably the mid-70s when America's ill-conceived emissions regulations throttled the performance out of several large-engined vehicles. It killed the most excessive vehicles at the time, but failed to have the long-term desired effect.
My guess is that this set of regulations will do much the same: kill off a few (really nice) cars and hopefully more than a few Hummers in the short term; in the long term it should stimulate development of cars we don't have to feel so guilty about driving.
The alternative is to tax the gas guzzlers so much that almost no-one can afford to drive them. Although that sounds like a better solution, it risks putting a lot of nice car companies out of business. New CAFE regulations just force them to put their badge on something smaller and more economical. If they're smart they'll find a way to make it a decent car - who knows perhaps we'll be able to buy a Bugatti that's built like a Lotus and priced like an Audi? Best of all, it will still be called a Bugatti and not a Tesla.