Commission’s top scientific advisers publish opinion on how to better measure car CO2 emissions

Today, the High-Level Group of the Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) has published its first opinion, which focuses on enhancing the measurement of CO₂ emissions from cars. Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: “We set up the Group of High-level Scientific Advisers only last year to support policy making with high-quality, independent scientific advice, in line with the Better Regulation Agenda to improve the quality of EU legislation. This is exactly what they have done with this first report. We need to reduce CO₂ emissions of cars and vans if we are to achieve climate and sustainability goals, and now we have additional scientific evidence base to mould future climate policies in this area.” Miguel Arias Cañete, Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, said: “Curbing CO₂ emissions and more representative measurements will support European and global efforts to decarbonise transport in view of international commitments to combat climate change. An important step has been the adoption of a new emissions testing procedure. This first opinion of the SAM High-level Group will undoubtedly constitute a key reference for our work on post-2020 emission performance standards for cars and vans in the EU.” The independent group of eminent scientists welcomes the introduction of the new emissions testing procedure as from 2017 that is expected to provide more representative CO₂ emission measurements. They recommend a regular review of this procedure, complemented by a framework for the monitoring of real driving CO₂ emissions including a formal reporting of the fuel consumption of passenger cars. More information on the recommendations of the SAM and more background information on the SAM and the opinion is available online.