Europe draws attention to car manufacturers for emissions

According to European emission regulations in new cars, by the end of 2020 all car manufacturers must prove an average _CO2 emissions of 95 grams per kilometer in their vehicles sold throughout the year. Failure to do so, the European Union will apply penalties of 95 euros per gram of more and vehicle sold throughout the year, which would result in potentially millionaire fines. Many of the companies are optimistic and rely on a balanced offering between combustion vehicles and plug-in hybrids, hybrids and electrics.

From the EU warn, however, that according to its latest data, those corresponding to the year 2018, the emissions of new cars increased for the second consecutive year. According to the study by the European Environment Agency (EEA), the emissions of new cars sold two years ago on the continent, including the United Kingdom, stood at 120.8 grams of _CO2 per kilometer, that is, 25.8 grams above European targets.

From the EU they urge manufacturers to work harder to reduce emissions from their ranges to achieve EU objectives and avoid sanctions that, after the coronavirus pandemic, would put some brands in serious trouble. In figures, the reduction in emissions should be 27% compared to 2018 levels. Likewise, the European Commission calls for more aid plans that stimulate the demand for zero-emission vehicles and the development of charging infrastructure on their way to achieving an emission-neutral continent by 2050.

Rise of SUVs and rise of gasoline

The EEA points to the popularity of cars in the SUV segment and the sustained increase in the market share of gasoline vehicles as the main causes of this increase in emissions. In 2018 SUVs accounted for 35% of the European market, up from 29% the previous year. These types of vehicles generate more emissions due to their size and weight. On the other hand, the collapse of diesel, 9% that year compared to 2017, in favor of gasoline, a more polluting fuel, also influences the rebound in emissions of new cars.

However, according to the EEA report, all but one manufacturer met their emission reduction targets, although they admit that they were very conservative compared to the figure to be achieved in 2020. Only Lamborghini failed in its decarbonization efforts. Among the big manufacturers, according to the EEA, in 2018 Toyota was the brand with the lowest emissions, about five grams above the 2020 target, while Mazda was, among those that met its goals for that year, the one that stayed farthest from the 2020 target, at 39 grams. The agency also highlights that Nissan and the Volkswagen Group stayed close to the 2020 target.

Source: The Newspaper