EU emissions targets 'could be phased in slowly'

European Commission plans to reduce the carbon emissions from new cars sold in the European Union (UN) could now be phased in slowly through 2015.

Reuters reports that political groups in a key parliamentary committee of the EU have agreed a compromise on the issue, which hopes to improve air quality and reduce climate change.

According to original European Commission proposals, emissions from new cars were to be capped from their current average of 158g/km to 130g/km by 2012.

Further improvements in tyre, gear and air quality improvement technology aim to reduce this figure to 120g/km.

Werner Langen, a German Conservative lawmaker, said: "If we can get such a solution underway, the EU will have a practical piece of legislation which could serve as a model for other regions in the world."

Mr Langen is leading the environmental legislation through the industry committee phase in the European Parliament.

In July 2008, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders announced a 3.6 per cent drop in carbon emissions from new cars in the second quarter of the year.