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Carmakers can achieve the EU emissions target of 130g/km of CO2, but not before 2015, says ACEA.

The body, which represents Europe’s 13 vehicle manufacturers, said the EC’s deadline of 2012 is not possible, due partly to the long development times involved.

ACEA president and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said: “The first feasible date for implementation of new legal requirements is 2015.”

ACEA stresses that this is not a specific target that any of the companies are aiming to meet, however. The EU has proposed that the CO2 reduction be generated by new technology in the vehicles, but it will take time for this to enter the market.

“Members are working on CO2 ,” said ACEA. “But to develop and put a car into production takes seven years or more.”
ACEA also worries that the proposals could handicap certain carmakers. It is suggesting that taking vehicle weight into account could be more fair.

“Weight takes into account that cars are different and they have different CO2 emissions as a result of that. You should have a different target for a heavier car than for one that is smaller or lighter,” said ACEA.