The European Parliament on Wednesday proposed extending a deadline for car makers to develop more eco-friendly vehicles _ a crucial element in EU efforts to meet targets for tackling global warming, according to AP. Instead of demanding that Europe's auto industry meet strict carbon dioxide limits by 2012, as proposed by the EU's executive Commission, the EU assembly said the auto industry should get three more years _ to 2015 _ to develop cleaner cars. EU governments are to settle on a date for introducing binding limits by 2009. The EU assembly, which would have to approve any final legislation, proposed setting the limit at no more than 125 grams per kilometer _ less than the European Commission's proposal of 130-gram limit for car makers by 2012, but three years later. It argued the industry needs sufficient time to implement the required changes. Efforts to make the 27-nation EU a global leader in cutting greenhouse gas emissions have become bogged down over the issue of forcing the region's carmakers to sell cleaner vehicles. The EU Green lawmakers said neither of the plans _ the EU assembly's or the European Commission's _ goes far enough, and last week published a study that said EU targets would only be met by a 120 gram per kilometer CO2 limit by 2012 and a further reduction to 80 grams per kilometer by 2020. Lighter, more fuel efficient cars release less CO2, making them a more environmental choice than heavy gas guzzlers or luxury cars. Overall emissions from road transport are rising, as more people buy cars and drive longer distances. The European Commission _ angered that the auto industry failed earlier to meet volunatry goals for cutting emissions _ proposed setting the legal limit, to force the industry to improve technology and car design so as to reduce emissions. EU officials backed away from the plan to set a 120-gram target, after manufacturers claimed they may have to slash jobs to meet the CO2 limits. The emission plan is part of the EU's drive to reduce greenhouse emissions by at least 20 percent from 1990 levels in the next 13 years. Voluntary emission targets set nine years ago call for 140 grams per kilometer by 2008 _ an equivalent of 5.9 liters of gas and 5.3 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers. Although emissions have been falling, EU officials say they have not gone far enough, and German manufacturers, especially, have failed to make sufficient headway. The plan to introduce binding rules to force carmakers to cut CO2 emissions faces opposition from the car industry, which says it puts at risk 12 million auto-sector jobs. Legislation in the U.S. state of California, which is leading U.S. vehicle emission cuts, foresees a 128-gram limit by 2016, while in Japan carmakers have to cut emissions to 140 grams.
