The legislation also sets a limit of 147g CO2/km to be achieved by 2020. Manufacturers registering fewer than 22,000 new vehicles in a year may apply for an exemption from the rules.

Vans that emit less than 50g CO2/km will earn carmakers ‘supercredits’ for a limited time, by counting as 3.5 vehicles towards the average in 2014-2015, 2.5 in 2016 and 1.5 in 2017, the last year of the scheme. On the other hand, each new van over the agreed limits will be subject to penalties rising to Eur95 per gram from 2019, which is similar to the penalty set under the legislation on reducing emissions from new cars.

Vans account for around 12% of the European market for so-called light-duty vehicles (passenger cars and vans). Together, these vehicles are responsible for around 1.5% of total EU CO2 emissions.

Once the Council has formally approved the agreement, probably within the next few weeks, the Regulation will be signed into law.