Euro car proposals right idea
Posted by DavidM in Driving, Green Politics | 19 February 2007
The European Commission's plans to limit the emissions of new vehicles is a big step in the right direction compared to tax proposals.
In some cases taxes can have a positive impact on environmental behaviour. For example, the tax changes for company cars in the UK a few years ago has made junior and middle managers much more conscious of the emissions levels of the cars they choose - hence the rise in popularity of the Mazda 6 as a rep-mobile.
However, in many other cases it doesn't work. For example, increasing standard car tax for gas-guzzling machines will have little effect as your average Range Rover, Porsche and BMW driver can manage the bill.
What is far more effective is to stop high emission cars being produced. By setting a maximum emission level then continually lowering it, you allow customers choice, motor manufacturers still have a basis of competition and it doesn't end up hitting the poorest hard.
The European Commission has recently announced it is compromising on the emissions levels set - lifting the maximum from 120 grams/km to 130 grams/km when it comes into force in 2012. The car manufacturers, as you would expect, are baulking at the proposals, claiming jobs will be lost across Europe and will add $4,700 to the cost of a new car.
This is a load of tosh and the kind of thing they always come out with. 2012 is 5 years away and all the major manufacturers already have a range of decent engines so developing cars in time shouldn't be difficult.
This is absolutely the right way forward and the European Commission needs to be firm. Setting mandatory levels of emissions performance helps the environment while still allowing customers choice over the kind of car they want.
