New European emissions rules could save drivers money

BBC : European car manufacturers may soon be forced to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of their vehicles. A joint report from consulting firms Cambridge Econometrics and Ricardo-AEA has found that such design innovations, while imposing extra costs on manufacturers, would cut overall fuel use and save consumers money in the long term. What’s more, says the report, they’re necessary for European manufacturers to remain globally competitive and to meet the European Union’s goal of reducing CO ₂ emissions by 60% by 2050. The European carmakers’ association ACEA argues that the increased costs of new car designs will end up being passed on to consumers, who may opt instead to buy a used car or keep using their old one, thus thwarting the goal of increasing the number of energy-efficient vehicles on the road. The campaign group Transport and Environment counters that setting standards is necessary to force carmakers to improve their designs.