John Leech MP and Chris Davies MEP campaign for cars that run more cheaply – and drive them too!

CAMPAIGNING Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Chris Davies is demanding EU wide action to force van manufacturers to reduce costs for businesses – and for ordinary consumers at the petrol pump.

The EU sets legally binding targets for fuel efficiency of vans and cars. New cars have to meet a target of 120g/km by 2012 and 70g/km by 2025 – and the less carbon dioxide a car produces, the less fuel it uses.

Now van manufacturers are trying to avoid similarly stringent targets for commercial vehicles and Chris Davies has joined forces with other MEPs to demand tough action.

Greater Manchester based MEP Chris Davies said: “The best way to get fuel prices to fall is to use less fuel overall. When car manufacturers were set a target they claimed it would add thousands to the price of a car. In reality the price fell by 13% in 8 years. Now the same manufacturers claim it will add to the price of new vans. Given their past record we shouldn’t believe them now.”

Newer cars go further than old ones for each litre of petrol used. Consumers benefit twice from fuel efficiency by filling up their tanks less often and by reducing demand for fuel so global prices fall.

Chris said: “Going green is good for the environment and good for the purses and wallets of drivers. Scare tactics by car makers won’t wash.”

Manchester Withington MP John Leech said: “The Lib Dems want this to be the greenest government – and the greenest EU – ever.”