All Major European Carmakers Met CO2 Targets for 2012

Every significant carmaker in Europe met its carbon dioxide emission targets last year and some have already satisfied more stringent goals for 2015, the European Environmental Agency reports.

EEA says average CO₂ emissions for the entire new-car pool last year dropped nearly 3% to 132.2 g/km. The industry's target for 2015 is 130 g/km. The agency notes that the average fuel efficiency of today's new-car fleet is more than 20% better than the average a decade ago.

Each carmaker has its own CO₂ target, and only 65% of its vehicles were required to meet the standard last year. The ratio rises to 100% by 2015. Current EU legislation will require a regional fleet average of 95 g of CO₂ per km in 2020.

EEA says Fiat had the lowest CO₂ average (117 g/km) among "large" manufacturers, meaning those that make at least 100,000 vehicles per year. Citroen, Peugeot, Renault and Toyota also scored significantly below the industry average. The report points out that about one in 10 cars sold by Toyota and Renault last year met the 2020 standard.

The agency says so-called "super credits" earned by selling electric cars and other ultra-low-emission vehicles had no impact on the ability of any manufacturer to meet its fleet target last year.