21 May 2014: Preliminary data released by the European Environment Agency (EEA) indicate that new vans sold in 2013 averaged 173.3 g of CO2 per kilometer, exceeding a goal of 175 g by 2017.

EEA began collecting data on emissions from light commercial vehicles in 2013. Among the 1.2 million new vans registered that year, emissions levels varied widely. The most efficient vans were sold in Malta, Portugal and France; emissions from vans sold in the Czech Republic, Germany and Slovakia were about a third higher.

Procedures for collecting the data are cause for some uncertainty, EEA cautioned. Using a certification test procedure under laboratory conditions per the European Driving Cycle specified in EU type approval legislation, EU member States report the CO2 emissions levels. While the results are thus comparable, they may differ from actual driving conditions.

Further, the current monitoring system, being relatively new, has not captured all vehicles adequately. EEA is planning an improved data collection method for 2015. The complexity of collecting information on vans, which may be manufactured in multiple stages by different companies, is further cause for uncertainty.

Final data for European van efficiency will be published in fall 2014. In April 2014, the Agency announced that the European 2013 new car fleet had met its 2015 target early, improving efficiency by 4%. [EEA Press Release] [IISD RS Story on European Car Fleet Efficiency]