Top car makers told to ensure fleets are 'more carbon-efficient'

Top-of-the-range car makers, such as Bentley and Bugatti, face significant fines unless they are able to make their fleets more carbon-efficient, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned.

If EEA targets are not met car-making firms such as Bugatti could face a charge of €40,000 per vehicle, and Bentley could be charged €20,000 in penalties. A Rolls-Royce will potentially incur a €12,500 penalty, a Maserati €18,000 and a Lamborghini €17,000.

The decision to limit the amount of carbon dioxide in the European Union produced by cars came in 2007, and it is the first of its kind worldwide. Each EU carmaker has an individual emissions target and in 2012, 65 per cent of its lowest-emitting cars will be counted to see if they meet it. The proportion gradually rises until 100 per cent are counted in 2015.

The majority of big manufacturers are on target to meet their initial 2012 targets, and some are even close to their 2015 limits. However, the EEA has reported that unless the industry makes collective changes then they could face charges of €10bn.

Posted by Lauren Steadman