European proposals signal escalating costs for fleets

New European proposals could mean fleet operators could soon be paying significantly more for their new cars.

From 2012, the European Commission plans to fine manufacturers who fail to meet stringent CO2 emission targets.

As a result, the European automobile manufacturers’ association, the ACEA, believes that fleets will not only be paying more for new vehicle technologies that help cut emissions, but also helping to foot the multi-billion euro fines.

A spokesman for the ACEA is reported as saying that for many consumers, cars could become unaffordable.

He went on to say that the result would be an even slower renewal of the existing car fleet on Europe’s roads which would itself be detrimental to improving the environmental performance of road transport.

Carmakers have warned that the proposals could add at least €3,000 to the cost of every new car but environment commissioner, Stavros Dimas, believes the legislation will ensure important fuel savings, which will translate into considerable benefits for fleet operators.

Moreover, he added, it will encourage the car industry to invest in new technologies and actively promote eco-innovation, which is a driver for more and high-quality jobs.

The Commission has stated that its preferred target is an average emission level of 120g/km of CO2 per car by 2012.