Stringent EU targets sound death knell for internal combustion

The effect of tightening emission targets in Europe have been spelled out by a new report from the UK, which identifies that three out of five cars sold in 2030 will need to be ‘ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs).

The report, compiled by the Committee on Climate Change, says that if emissions levels are to fall within EU standards, three-fifths of news cars must emit less than 75g/km of CO2.

That would mean a 44 per cent reduction in 2016 CO2 levels, thanks to massively increased uptake of cars including the Toyota Prius and pure electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Ioniq.

While on face value the report shares little relevance with Australia’s emission plans, it is fair to expect increased parallels in the future with no domestic manufacturing industry to protect.

In the past, Australian standards have lagged behind those enforced in Europe, which has introduced new proposals that aim to slash the 95g/km fleet average in 2021 to just 66g/km by 2030.

Equivalent to a 30 per cent cut in just nine years, the new target will apply to all manufacturers building cars and vans between 2021-2030. This drive to curb greenhouse gases begun by the European Commission is said to be an attempt to reduce CO2 levels to 1990-levels by 2030.

In order to achieve tightening levels, the Committee on Climate Change report also said the proposed 2040 date for banning non-electrically assisted cars may have to come forward five years.

“It may be necessary for the sales of petrol and diesel vehicles to end by 2035,” the report said,

The report's authors refer to the UK government’s ambition that 30-70 per cent of new car sales should be made up of ULEVs by 2030, and say it “will be necessary to deliver towards the upper end of the range for cars”. Sixty per cent has been highlighted as ideal.

The report’s authors praise the UK government’s commitment to meeting emission targets, but warn that “risks of under-delivery” must be addressed.