According to Reuters, France, Italy and Germany, the countries which house the biggest carmakers on the continent, have demanded the EU to delay or at least ease up on the proposed emission cuts.
As it is presented today, the proposal demand for the 175 g of CO2 per km mark to be reached by July 2013 for commercial vehicles, threatens with fines those who do not comply. Those who oppose the move ask for the new regulations to be implemented in stages, while at the same time reducing the fines.
They proposed 2017 as the year when the changes should come into effect. The three countries also challenge the second phase of the plan, which calls for 135 g of CO2/km by 2020.
"The governments have deemed it inappropriate to put forward this proposal on light commercial vehicles and have asked to delay it to a more appropriate time," an EU representative was quoted as saying by Autonews. "The impact assessment must be more detailed."
"The Commission has to decide now between putting forward a diluted version before the end of October, or putting it on hold until next year," a second EU rep added.
"We don't support the long-term target as it is now," a person close to the negotiations concluded. "It must be realistic, cost-effective and based on a thorough impact assessment."
Google News