The European Parliament has signed off on new carbon dioxide restrictions for commercial vans that will slash emissions by 28 per cent from 2020.
Under the rules, all new light commercial vehicles sold across the European Union will emit a maximum 147 grams of CO2 per kilometre instead of 203 grams, the level set in 2007.
The French newsagency AFP reports European Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said the target was both “accessible” and not too expensive for manufacturers.
Ms Hedegaard said the legislation would be reviewed in 2015.
Vans account for 12 per cent of the European market for light-duty vehicles, which together are responsible for 1.5 per cent of total EU CO2 emissions, according to the European Commission.
Light vans have a longer lifespan than passenger cars and weigh up to 2.61 tonnes empty and 3.5 tonnes when laden.
AFP reports European politicians next month will vote on a similar scheme to limit CO2 emissions in new passenger cars that has been held up by concerns in Germany, which has a powerful car industry.
Germany agreed in November however to the scheme to reduce CO2 emissions to 95 grams per kilometre for 2020.
German car makers had wanted the date pushed back to 2024 but did secure a phasing-in period to satisfy their demands.
The EU has already set a target for average new car emissions of 130 grams of CO2 per kilometre by 2015, which would represent an 18 per cent improvement over 2007 standards
The EC says road transport contributes about one-fifth of the EU’s total emissions of CO2, the main greenhouse gas.
It says CO2 emissions from road transport increased by nearly 23 per cent between 1990 and 2010.
Next in line are heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and buses and the EC is working on new regulations for both the freight and transport sectors.
The EC says trucks and buses are responsible for about a quarter of CO2 emissions from road transport in the EU and for some six per cent of total EU emissions.
Despite some improvements in fuel consumption efficiency in recent years, HDV emissions are still rising, mainly due to increasing road freight traffic.
