Europeans back tough car emission targets - poll | Reuters.com …

Europeans back tough car emission targets - poll | Reuters.com                            http://uk.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=UKLS66982520080828




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          Europeans back tough car emission
          targets - poll
          Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:02pm BST

          BRUSSELS, Aug 28 (Reuters) - A majority of Europeans back planned
          legislation to enforce big cuts in carbon dioxide emissions from new cars, a
          public opinion poll in the European Union's five biggest countries showed on
          Thursday.

          The survey, carried out by the TNS Opinion pollster for the Friends of the
          Earth lobby group, may strengthen the case for the European Parliament to
          keep tough targets for lowering emissions of one of the main gases blamed
          for global warming.

          A key committee at the legislature votes on Monday on proposals by the
          executive European Commission to curb average CO2 emissions from new
          cars to 120 grams per km by 2012, compared to current levels of around
          158 grams per km.

          The TNS survey showed 87 percent of those polled in Britain, France,
          Germany, Italy and Spain supported measures to reduce the fuel
          consumption of new cars by a quarter, a cut equivalent to meeting the 120
          gram target.

          "Citizens are sending a loud and clear message to politicians and carmakers
          to shift fuel efficiency up a gear," Jeroen Verhoeven of Friends of the Earth
          Europe said.

          Carmakers, especially those producing luxury models in Germany, are
          lobbying to extend the deadline, citing long production cycles for new
          vehicles. They say the legislation would harm their business and lead to job
          losses.

          But the poll showed 64 percent believed the planned measures would
          benefit the economy because consumers would buy less fuel and have more
          to spend on other goods.

          Friends of the Earth charged that automakers had failed to improve fuel


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Europeans back tough car emission targets - poll | Reuters.com                                                    http://uk.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=UKLS66982520080828


          efficiency much over past decades despite huge technological advances.

          It quoted the example of German car producer Volkswagen's (VOWG.DE:
          Quote, Profile, Research) Beetle model, which used about 7.5 litres of
          petrol per 100 km when produced just after World War Two. The 2008
          Beetle Luna consumes a similar amount of fuel.

          The car proposal is part of a wider EU plan to slash CO2 emissions by at
          least one fifth by 2020, compared with 1990 levels.

          France hopes to clinch a final deal during its presidency over the bloc in the
          second half of 2008. A compromise is expected to emerge from complex
          negotiations between the European Parliament and the EU's 27
          governments.

          Under the Commission's proposal, improved engine technology is to achieve
          a cut to 130 grams per km, with other improvements in tyres, gears and air
          conditioning to do the rest. Carmakers failing to meet the target are to face
          fines. (Reporting by Marcin Grajewski; Editing by Dale Hudson)
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