According to WhatCar, estimates suggest car companies could be liable for fines of up to €12.5 billion per year should these proposals go ahead, with the EC levying €80-90 per gram per car that manufacturers exceed targets by.
Currently Daimler, parent company of Mercedes-Benz, averages 188g/km with its models whereas competitor BMW averages 184g/km. French maker PSA Peugeot Citroen, with its smaller engine capacities, averages just 142g/km and should have less of an issue bringing down its average fleet emissions by 2012.