European and Asian auto makers must do more to meet voluntary targets to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars or face possible legislative action, the European Union's executive said today.
The European Commission said average 2004 CO2 emissions from new cars in the 15 "old" EU member states were down 12.4 per cent from 1995 levels, far off a target of a roughly 25 per cent cut by 2008/09.
"The current situation is by no means satisfactory," a Commission spokesman told a daily briefing, reiterating the Commission would consider binding legislative targets if necessary.
"We could, theoretically, bring in legislation."