Progress

Larger decrease in 2010

Within the context of European climate policy, the EU decided at the end of 2008 to reduce the target for CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars further in two phases. The Pact 2020 adopts these targets. A proposed linear trend will result in Belgium reaching the target 2015 of 130 g CO₂/km. The target 2020 of 95 g/km is not within reach.

After 2007 the emissions decreased even further. In 2007 the payment of the federal tax allowance for vehicles with emissions of less than 115 g/km shifted from a tax deduction to a direct discount on purchase. Furthermore, from 2008 onwards the deductibility of commercial vehicles became dependent on the CO₂emissions. In 2010 the CO₂emissions from new passenger cars decreased even more. The decrease was larger for diesel than petrol vehicles. For private cars the share of diesel vehicles with emissions of less than 105 g/km increased in particular. This is the most favourable tax class. More and more models of this class are coming onto the market. From January 2010, the deductibility of company vehicles also changed. Vehicles with high CO₂ emissions became less attractive. Electric vehicles and cars with very low CO₂emissions of less than 60 g CO₂/km gained additional advantages.

If the sharp decrease of 2007-2010 continues in the years to come, Belgium will reach the target 2020 by 2017. The proportion of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric passenger cars will consequently also have to increase. The Flemish government takes initiatives to stimulate this. On average, the Flemish people buy heavier new cars that the residents of the other regions. Therefore the average emission, 137 g/km in 2010, is higher than the Belgian figure.