European Car Brands Fall Short on Greenhouse Gas Targets

Among the top 20 car brands in Europe, only Fiat, Citroen, Renault, Ford, and Peugeot are on track to meet voluntary targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study by Transport & Environment found that from 1997 to 2005, Nissan's carbon emissions fell by only a fifth of the amount it should have done to meet the target. Toyota, which has been promoting its hybrid cars as "green," has cut emissions by only 76% of what it should have done to reach the 140-grammes-per-kilometer target. The environmental lobby group is calling for stricter regulations, citing the industry's failure to meet voluntary targets.

Key Takeaways:

• Only five mass-market car manufacturers, Fiat, Citroen, Renault, Ford, and Peugeot, are on track to meet the European Commission's voluntary targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Nissan failed to meet its target, reducing carbon emissions by only a fifth of the amount needed between 1997 and 2005.
• Toyota, a major hybrid car manufacturer, has reduced emissions by only 76% of what it should have done to reach the 140-grammes-per-kilometer target.
• Japanese and Korean manufacturers, including Toyota, are not meeting their voluntary targets and are pushing for relaxation of the target.
• The European Commission has repeatedly threatened to impose rules on carmakers if the voluntary agreement is not met.
• Several car manufacturers have been forced to bring less profitable small cars to Europe to help meet the emissions target.

Statistics:

• 20: The number of top car brands in Europe studied by Transport & Environment.
• 5: The number of mass-market car manufacturers on track to meet the European Commission's voluntary targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• 1997: The year before a voluntary agreement on curbing emissions by European car manufacturers.
• 2005: The end year of the target period for emissions reduction.
• 140 g/km: The target average emissions per kilometer set by the European Commission.
• 76%: The percentage of emissions reduction by Toyota since 1997.
• 2008: The year by which European manufacturers are expected to reach the 140g/km target.
• 2009: The year by which Japanese and Korean producers are expected to reach the 140g/km target.

Sources:

• Transport & Environment
• Aat Peterse, policy officer at T&E
• European Association of Automobile Manufacturers
• European Commission
• Acea