CAR PLAN TOO LITTLE, TOO SHORT TERM - HUHNE

1.35.10pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 7th Feb 2007

This target is too unambitious - cars like the Toyota Prius already have far lower emissions

Responding to proposals from the European Commission to set compulsory emission limits of an average 130g/km for new cars sold by makers by 2012, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP, said:

"This target is too unambitious and too short-term. It is barely less than the voluntary agreement of 140g/km that was supposed to have been met by 2008 and which manufacturers are honouring only in the breach. Family cars like the Toyota Prius are already available emitting as little as 104g/km.

"We should also be setting a long-term path for the car industry with targets for further reductions beyond 2012 so that the industry is able to make long-term investment decisions. This will reward those companies that plan for the future.

"Far from being a source of competitive disadvantage, as some of the German makers argue, moving more quickly to lower emitting cars will prove to be a source of competitive advantage. Regulation was the making of European mobile telephony where early adoption of higher standards meant global roaming and a new world standard, with the US left far behind.

"If competitiveness was down to having big gas-guzzlers then Ford and General Motors would be leading the global pack. Instead both companies are so sick that their value is no more than a successful niche company like Harley Davidson motorcycles. By contrast, Toyota and Honda who have invested in hybrid technology are prospering."