New carbon emissions standards that are set to be introduced across Europe by 2012 may force carmakers outside of the region unless they make serious inroads into reducing the emission levels of their cars within the next five years. Under the proposals, which are to be announced by European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas later this year, new cars in 2012 will have to emit no more than 120g of carbon per kilometer. Currently, the only car that meets this standard is the Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle that emits just 104g per km.
The Daily Telegraph reports that European carmakers had failed to comply with a voluntary agreement they signed in 1998 to reduce emissions by 25% by 2008, and instead managed only a 13% reduction so far. Manufacturers of sports cars and SUV such as Porsche and Land Rover have stated that the proposals would devastate their future plans.
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