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Published van CO2 emissions figures move closer

Date: 24 February 2009

Industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has moved closer to being a position to published commercial vehicle emissions figures.

The SMMT, vehicle makers and the Government's Vehicle Certification Agency have been working together to thrash out how best to publish the data - both for accuracy and so it can be easily accessed.

One CV brand contacted by BusinessCar said: "Government is already saying they will tax on the figures. That's not a bad thing - we want to make sure we're responsible environmentally, but it's got to be done in the right way."

However, manufacturers are worried about the fairness of the analysis method, especially if it is to be used as a tool for taxation. That's because, when compared to cars, there are greater variations for vans in everything from bodystyle to roof height and wheelbase, so the same simple CO2 and mpg test that's applied to cars isn't appropriate.

"Our nervousness is based on the methodology," said Ford CV boss Steve Kimber, while VW CV managing director Simon

Elliot said: "People buying our vehicles are buying for business reasons -it has to be fair and equitable otherwise it's just a tax on business and that's not palatable."

The announcement regarding how vehicles will be tested and when a full set of results will be available is expected in the next few weeks, having originally been planned for the now-defunct CV show in April.



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