Voting on draft legislation today (28 September) MEPs supported a European Commission proposal that manufacturers should reduce the average CO2 emissions across their fleets by 2020. However, rather than voting for the limit of 135g/km as set out in the vans proposal, which was approved last year, a majority in committee recommended that the limit should be eased to 140g/km due to the van industry's long production cycles and its difficult economic situation.

MEPs also suggested more modest fines for manufacturers that fail to comply with the rules. MEPs said the emphasis should be on incentive schemes, such as "super credits" for highly efficient vehicles, to encourage manufacturers to achieve targets. But financial penalties should reach €95 for each gram of CO2 per vehicle over the limit by 2019 – a lower figure than the €120 proposed by the Commission, but in line with rules agreed for cars.