A4-0489/98

Proposal for a Council Directive relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars (COM(98)0489 - C4-0569/98 - 98/0272(SYN))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Title

>Original text>

Proposal for a Council Directive relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars

>Text following EP vote>

Proposal for a Council Directive relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy

and the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars

(Amendment 2)

Recital 6

>Original text>

(6) Whereas information plays a key role in the operation of market forces and the provision of accurate, relevant and comparable information on the specific fuel consumption of passenger cars may influence consumer choice in favour of those cars which use less fuel and thereby emit less CO2, thus prompting manufacturers to take steps to reduce the fuel consumption of the cars that they manufacture;

>Text following EP vote>

(6)

Whereas information plays a key role in the operation of market forces and the provision of accurate, relevant and comparable information on the specific fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of passenger cars may influence consumer choice in favour of those cars which use less fuel and thereby emit less CO2, thus prompting manufacturers to take steps to reduce the fuel consumption of the cars that they manufacture;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 6a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

(6a) Whereas including a fuel cost estimate will serve no useful purpose until fuel prices in the Member States adequately reflect environmental costs;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 7

>Original text>

(7) Whereas it is necessary, therefore, to develop a fuel economy label for all new passenger cars displayed at the point of sale,

>Text following EP vote>

(7)

Whereas it is necessary, therefore, to develop a fuel economy label for all new passenger cars, vehicles registered for the day as well as new cars that may not be resold within one year displayed at the point of sale,

(Amendment 5)

Article 1

>Original text>

The purpose of this Directive is to ensure that information relating to the fuel economy of new passenger cars offered for sale or lease in the Community is made available to consumers.

>Text following EP vote>

The purpose of this Directive is to ensure that information relating to the fuel economy

and CO2 emissions of new passenger cars offered for sale or lease in the Community is made available to consumers.

(Amendment 6)

Article 2, 2nd definition

>Original text>

'new passenger car' means any passenger car which has not previously been sold to a person who bought it for a purpose other than that of selling or supplying it;

>Text following EP vote>

'new passenger car' means any passenger car which has not previously been sold to a person who bought it for a purpose other than that of selling or supplying it and vehicles registered for the day as well as new cars that may not be resold within one year;

(Amendment 7)

Article 2, 5th definition

>Original text>

'point of sale¨ meansalocation, such as a carshowroom or forecourt, where passenger cars are displayed and offered for sale or lease to potential customers;

>Text following EP vote>

'point of sale¨ means any location where new passenger cars are displayed to potential customers with a view to promoting their sale or leasing;

(Amendment 8)

Article 2, 10th definition

>Original text>

'promotional literature¨ means all printed matter used by manufacturers and new car dealers in the marketing, advertising and promotion of their vehicles to the general public. It includes, as a minimum, technical manuals, brochures, advertisements in newspapers, magazines and trade press and posters;

>Text following EP vote>

'promotional literature¨ means all printed matter used by manufacturers and new car dealers in the marketing, advertising and promotion of their vehicles to the general public. It includes, as a minimum, technical manuals, brochures, advertisements in newspapers, magazines and trade press and posters, and advertisements on the Internet in so far as they are primarily intended for the Community market;

(Amendment 9)

Article 2, 10th definition a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

"category¨ means a group of cars that are regarded as similar and comparable from the point of view of the consumer. The categories, within the meaning of this directive, shall be established in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 11 and after consulting consumer organisations and other interested parties;

(Amendment 10)

Article 2, 14th definition

>Original text>

'average fuel price¨ means a single reference price of petrol or diesel fuel which is representative of the prevailing market for those fuels in each Member State.

>Text following EP vote>

Deleted

(Amendment 11)

Article 3

>Original text>

Article 3

The Member States shall determine, for the purposes of this Directive, average fuel prices for both petrol and diesel fuel on 1 January each year and ensure that this information is freely available, in particular, to those persons or organisations involved in the implementation of the provisions of this Directive.

>Text following EP vote>

Deleted

(Amendment 12)

Article 5, 2nd paragraph

>Original text>

The guide shall be compact, portable and be available free of charge to consumers on request both at the point of sale and also from a designated body within each Member State. The Member State shall also ensure that the guide is available through electronic means, such as the Internet, and that this form of the guide is kept up-to-date with changes in the range of new passenger car versions available for purchase in the Member State.

>Text following EP vote>

The guide shall be compact, portable and be available free of charge to consumers on request both at the point of sale and also from a designated body within each Member State. The Member State shall also ensure that the guide is available through electronic means, such as the Internet

. The electronic version of the guide shall be kept up-to-date with changes in the range of new passenger car versions available for purchase in the Member State.

(Amendment 13)

Article 7

>Original text>

The Member States shall ensure that all promotional literature contains the official fuel consumption data of the vehicles to which it refers in accordance with the requirements of Annex IV.

>Text following EP vote>

The Member States shall ensure that all promotional literature contains the official fuel consumption data

and data on official specific emissions of CO2 of the vehicles to which it refers in accordance with the requirements of Annex IV.

(Amendment 14)

Article 10, 2nd paragraph

>Original text>

In order to assist this adaptation process, five years after this Directive has entered into force each Member State shall transmit to the Commission a report on the effectiveness of the provisions of this Directive.

>Text following EP vote>

In order to assist this adaptation process,

three years after this Directive has entered into force each Member State shall transmit to the Commission a report on the effectiveness and application of this Directive, and in particular application of the annexes. On the basis of these reports, the Commission shall also assess whether there is a need for further harmonisation with a view to the smooth functioning of the internal market, pursuant to Article 7a of the Treaty and, if appropriate, shall present proposals to amend this directive.

(Amendment 15)

Annex I (4)

>Original text>

4. contain the numerical value of the official fuel consumption and the official specific emissions of CO2. The value of the official fuel consumption shall be expressed in either litres per 100 kilometres (l/100 km), miles per gallon (mpg), kilometres per litre (km/l), or an appropriate combination of these and be quoted to one decimal place. The official specific emissions of CO2 are to be quoted to the nearest whole number in grams per kilometre (g/km);

>Text following EP vote>

4.

contain the numerical value of the official fuel consumption, fuel consumption in and outside urban areas and the official specific emissions of CO2. The value of the official fuel consumption shall be expressed in either litres per 100 kilometres (l/100 km) or miles per gallon (mpg), and be quoted to one decimal place. The official specific emissions of CO2 are to be quoted to the nearest whole number in grams per kilometre (g/km);

(Amendment 16)

Annex I (5)

>Original text>

5. contain an estimate of the fuel costs associated with driving a distance of 10 000 kilometres or 6 000 miles for the particular vehicle and fuel type in question. The calculation of fuel cost shall use the average fuel price set annually in each Member State. The fuel cost estimate shall be accompanied by a suitable text explaining the underlying assumptions and the fuel price used in the calculation. The text explaining the underlying assumptions shall include a reference to the driving conditions simulated by the test cycle which appears in Directive 80/1268/EEC, an explanation of how the average fuel price was calculated and an explanation that the cost figure is given for 10 000 kilometres (6 000 miles) so that consumers can easily calculate their annual fuel cost for a particular vehicle;

>Text following EP vote>

Deleted

(Amendment 17)

Annex I (7)

>Original text>

7. contain the following text:

"In addition to the fuel efficiency of a car, driving behaviour as well as other non-technical factors play a role in determining a car's fuel economy and CO2 emissions. CO2 is the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming."

>Text following EP vote>

7.

contain the following text:

"The reduction of CO2 emissions is very important in the fight against global climate change. Fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions depend not only on your car's fuel efficiency but also on regular servicing and the way you drive. Extra equipment such as air conditioning and pre-heating systems may increase fuel consumption substantially."

(Amendment 18)

Annex II (1)

>Original text>

1. the numerical value of the official fuel consumption and the official specific emissions of CO2. The value of the official fuel consumption shall be expressed in either litres per 100 kilometres (l/100 km), miles per gallon (mpg), kilometres per litre (km/l) or an appropriate combination of these and be quoted to one decimal place. The official specific emissions of CO2 are to be quoted to the nearest whole number in grams per kilometre (g/km);

>Text following EP vote>

1.

the numerical value of the official fuel consumption, fuel consumption in and outside urban areas and the official specific emissions of CO2. The value of the official fuel consumption shall be expressed in either litres per 100 kilometres (l/100 km) or miles per gallon (mpg), and be quoted to one decimal place. The official specific emissions of CO2 are to be quoted to the nearest whole number in grams per kilometre (g/km);

(Amendment 19)

Annex II (2)

>Original text>

2. a prominent listing of the ten most fuel efficient new car versions ranked in order of increasing specific emissions of CO2 for each fuel type (petrol and diesel). The listing must contain the make, variant and version, the official specific emissions of CO2, the official fuel consumption and the fuel cost associated with 10 000 km or 6 000 miles for the particular vehicle in question;

>Text following EP vote>

2. for each category of passenger cars, a prominent listing of the ten most fuel efficient new car versions, for each fuel type (petrol and diesel), ranked in order of increasing specific emissions of CO2. The listing must contain the make, variant and version, the official specific emissions of CO2 and the official fuel consumption for the particular vehicle in question;

(Amendment 20)

ANNEX II (2a) (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

2a. detailed information on how fuel consumption is increased by extra equipment such as air conditioning and pre-heating systems;

(Amendment 21)

Annex II (3)

>Original text>

Text proposed by the Commission

3.the official specific emissions of CO2 are to be quoted to the nearest whole number in grams per kilometre (g/km). The fuel consumption shall be expressed in either litres per 100 kilometres (l/100 km), miles per gallon (mpg), kilometres per litre (km/l) or an appropriate combination of these. All fuel consumption data must be quoted to one decimal place. The calculation of fuel cost shall use the average fuel price set annually in each Member State. The fuel cost estimate shall be accompanied by a suitable text explaining the underlying assumptions and the fuel price used in the calculation. The text explaining the underlying assumptions shall include a reference to the driving conditions simulated by the test cycle which appears in Directive 80/1268/EEC, an explanation of how the average fuel price was calculated and an explanation that the cost figure is given for 10 000 kilometres (6 000 miles) so that consumers can easily calculate their annual fuel cost for a particular vehicle;

>TABLE>

>Original text>

Amendment by Parliament

3.a suggested format for the listing for each category referred to in point 2 is shown below:

>TABLE>

(Amendment 22)

Annex II (5a) (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

5a. a reference to the updated version on the Internet or in any other electronic format.

(Amendment 23)

Annex III (3)

>Original text>

3. new car versions must be grouped and listed separately according to fuel type (petrol or diesel). For each car in the list the make, variant, version, official CO2 emissions, official fuel consumption and fuel cost associated with 10 000 kilometres or 6 000 miles shall be included for the particular vehicle in question. Within each fuel type, versions are to be ranked in order of increasing CO2 emissions, with the most fuel efficient vehicle being placed at the top of the list;

>Text following EP vote>

3.

new car versions must be grouped and listed separately by category and within each category according to fuel type (petrol or diesel). For each car in the list the make, variant, version, official CO2 emissions, official fuel consumption and fuel consumption in and outside urban areas shall be included for the particular vehicle in question. Within each category for each fuel type, versions are to be ranked in order of increasing CO2 emissions, with the most fuel efficient vehicle being placed at the top of the list;

(Amendment 24)

Annex III (4)

>Original text>

Text proposed by the Commission

4.the official specific emissions of CO2 are to be quoted to the nearest whole number in grams per kilometre (g/km). Fuel consumption is to be expressed in either litres per 100 kilometres (l/100 km), in miles per gallon (mpg), kilometres per litre (km/l) or an appropriate combination of these. The calculation of fuel cost shall use the average fuel price set annually in each Member State. The fuel cost estimate shall be accompanied by a suitable text explaining the underlying assumptions and the fuel price used in the calculation. The text explaining the underlying assumptions should include a reference to the driving conditions simulated by the test cycle which appears in Directive 80/1268/EEC, an explanation of how the average fuel price was calculated and an explanation that the cost figure is given for 10 000 kilometres (6 000 miles) so that consumers can easily calculate their annul fuel cost for a particular vehicle.

>Original text>

All fuel consumption data shall be quoted to one decimal place. A suggested format is shown below;

>TABLE>

>Original text>

Amendments by Parliament

4.the official specific emissions of CO2 are to be quoted to the nearest whole number in grams per kilometre (g/km). Fuel consumption is to be expressed in either litres per 100 kilometres (l/100 km) or miles per gallon (mpg). All fuel consumption data shall be quoted to one decimal place. A suggested format is shown below;

>TABLE>

(Amendment 25)

Annex III (6)

>Original text>

(6) contain the following text, 'In addition to the fuel efficiency of a car, driving behaviour as well as other non-technical factors play a role in determining a car¨s fuel economy and CO2 emissions. CO2 is the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming'.

>Text following EP vote>

(6)

contain the following text, 'The reduction of CO2 emissions is very important in the fight against global climate change. Fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions depend not only on your car's fuel efficiency but also on regular servicing and the way you drive.'

(Amendment 26)

Annex IV, Title

>Original text>

The provision of fuel consumption data in promotional literature

>Text following EP vote>

The provision of

data on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in promotional literature

(Amendment 27)

Annex IV, introduction

>Original text>

The Member States shall ensure that all promotional literature contains the official fuel consumption data of the vehicles to which it refers. This information should, as a minimum, meet the following requirements:

>Text following EP vote>

The Member States shall ensure that all promotional literature contains the official

data on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of the vehicles to which it refers. This information should, as a minimum, meet the following requirements:

(Amendment 28)

Annex IV (3)

>Original text>

3. official fuel consumption data should be provided for all different car versions to which the promotional material covers. If more than one version is specified then either the official fuel consumption data for all versions can be included or the range between the worst and best fuel consumption can be stated. Fuel consumption is to be expressed in either litres per 100 kilometres (l/100 km), in miles per gallon (mpg), kilometres per litre (km/l) or an appropriate combination of these. All numerical data should be quoted to one decimal place.

>Text following EP vote>

3.

official fuel consumption data should be provided for all different car versions to which the promotional material covers. If more than one version is specified then either the official fuel consumption data for all versions can be included or the range between the worst and best fuel consumption can be stated. Fuel consumption is to be expressed in either litres per 100 kilometres (l/100 km) or in miles per gallon (mpg). All numerical data should be quoted to one decimal place.

(Amendment 29)

Annex IV (3a) (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

3a. the official specific emissions of CO2 must be quoted to the nearest whole number in grams per kilometre (g/km).

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars (COM(98)0489 - C4-0569/98 - 98/0272(SYN))(Cooperation procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council COM(98)0489 - 98/0272(SYN) ((OJ C 305, 3.10.1998, p. 2.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 189c of the EC Treaty and Article 130s(1) of the EC Treaty (C4-0569/98),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection (A4-0489/98),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to incorporate Parliament's amendments in the common position that it adopts in accordance with Article 189c(a) of the EC Treaty;

4. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.