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Regulation (EU) 2019/631 setting CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles, and repealing Regulations (EC) 443/2009 and (EU) 510/2011

20 June 2019

Comes into force: 1st January 2020

This Regulation sets CO2 emissions performance for manufactures of new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, and premiums to be paid if they are exceeded.

CO2 emissions performance requirements are set by the European Commission (EC) for new vehicles in order to help achieve the EU greenhouse gas emissions reduction target and the objectives of the Paris agreement.

The Regulation does not apply to special purpose vehicles such as ambulances, as defined by Part A of Annex II of Directive 2007/46/EC establishing a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

New annual targets for the average emissions of new vehicle are set throughout the years 2020, 2025 and 2030.

From 1st January 2020:

  • The target for the average emissions of new passenger cars registered in the EU is 95g CO2/km; and

  • The target for the average emissions of new light commercial vehicles registered in the EU is 147g CO2/km

From 1st January 2025:

  • The CO2/km target will be reduced to 15% of the 2020 target for both new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles; and

  • Zero and low emission vehicles should make up a 15% share of the respective fleets of new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

From 1st January 2030:

  • The CO2/km target will be further reduced to 37.5% of the 2020 for new passenger cars and 31% for new commercial vehicles; and

  • Zero and low emissions vehicles should make up 35% and 30% of new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles respectively.

Manufacturers are required to ensure that their average specific emissions of CO2 do not exceed their relevant targets. Specific emissions targets are based on the annual targets and are determined within Annex I to the EU Regulations.

In the event of any errors in the emission reporting data, manufacturers have three months to inform the EC.

The EC is required to publish, by the 31st October each year, the finalised list of data on specified emissions and targets for each manufacturer for the last year

Derogations for certain manufactures
Manufacturers that register under 10,000 cars or 20,000 commercial vehicles in the EU can apply for a derogation as long as they are not part of a group of manufacturers that produce over these limits. Derogation allow manufactures to set an alternative specified emissions target which is consistent with their emissions reduction potential.

A derogation lasts five years and can be renewed. They must be submitted by 31st October in the year the derogation starts.

For more information click here.