EC urges van emissions reduction

The European commission (EC) is to called for a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from light commercial vehicles, it has emerged.

It hopes to reduce average fuel use and CO2 emissions from vans from 33mpg and 201g/km in 2002 to 37.4mpg and 175g/km by 2012 Fleet News reports.

As part of its plans to improve air quality and counter climate change, these figures would then change to 40.9mpg and 160g/km by 2015, according to figures provided by the SMMT, the trade association for the motor industry in the UK.

"The EC aims to set legally binding fuel and CO2 standards for vans before the end of the year and firms making vans and cars could have a single emission target," an SMMT spokesperson said.

He added that while no talk of similar standards have yet emerged from the commission regarding buses and trucks, such restrictions will be a matter of "when" rather than "if" according to industry observers.

Earlier this week, the SMMT announced its support for the new government strategy for manufacturers.