CO2 limit values: German car manufacturers miss EU climate targets

D emnach The vehicles newly registered in Europe in 2009 emit 5.1 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) than the new vehicles from the previous year. However, according to the study, only four out of 14 large car manufacturers adhere to the EU limit value for 2008 of 140 grams of CO2 per kilometer on average for their fleets.

Daimler brings up the rear

in the study Daimler is listed as the lowest CO2 emissions: The average emissions of the new passenger car fleet were determined to be 167 grams per kilometer. BMW and Volkswagen also failed to meet the EU target of 151 and 153 grams per kilometer, respectively, in 2009.

With 131 and 132 grams per kilometer, the front-runners Fiat and Toyota did better. Renault and the PSA group with the brands Peugeot and Citroën also remained under the EU requirements. 'Germany is not making enough effort,' commented Jürgen Resch, Federal Managing Director of Deutsche Umwelthilfe, the study results.

Technical improvements help save

The study accounts for more than half of all CO2 savings according to technical improvements made by manufacturers. Another reason was the growing preference of European customers for smaller and more economical cars.

For the study 'How clean are Europe's cars?' T&E examined 14 automakers who sell vehicles in Europe.