The Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) vote on new binding reduction targets for CO2 emissions produced by heavy-duty vehicles, in the European Parliament in Brussels. CO2 emissions from trucks represent 6% of total EU greenhouse gas emissions (2015). Without EU action, this share is expected to increase. Statement by Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), rapporteur Final vote tesults: total voters 53; in favour 47; against 6; abstentions 0. Adopted.

Brussels

statement

meeting

vote

EICKHOUT, Bas (Greens/EFA, NL)

emissions of vehicles (T)

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

fight against climate change (T)

CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles: extracts from the vote, statement by Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), rapporteur

Views during the vote, amendements, final vote, atmosphere (10 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), rapporteur, I think there were two core elements that were defended: First of all the level of ambition that the Commission proposed was not enough. So this vote shows that the Parliament wants a higher ambition which means that the CO2 standards for heavy duty vehicles are being heighten. So that was achieved. And secondly what is very important. We agreed on that for 2025 and 2030 there will be a mandate for zero and low emission vehicles. So the producers will have to produce in their park a certain amount of low and zero emission vehicles. And that was also adopted.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), We all know that we have to change how cars and trucks are being produced. For that you need a political push to say OK give us a certain amount of zero and low emission vehicles. Once the producers are doing that the prices will go down and the market will adopt to that level of productions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), Until now what we have seen is that quite some countries are more listening just to the producers of cars and trucks then listen to the voices of the future which say the new way of dealing with transport will be different, and the old fashioned combustion engine will end. And I think the Parliament is giving that signal very clear. I think the producers need that push. And let's not convince member states that they should stop listening to the voices of the past but really go into the 21st century.