The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) has called for post-2020 carbon emissions targets to be based on scientific evaluation as opposed to "purely political figures". The ACEA's secretary general, Ivan Hodac, has acknowledged a need for "further ambitious targets to be set", although he believes any post-2020 goals should be based on an 'independent impact assessmentî. He added: "They must not be purely political figures. Unfortunately it seems that the European Parliament is moving in this direction." At present Europe has the highest vehicle environmental standards in the world and is keen on retaining this status. However, the ACEA believes this will only be possible if the competitiveness of the industry can be safeguarded. In environmental and economic terms, future CO2 targets should therefore be based on a scientific evaluation of their impact. An impact assessment has not yet been conducted, and too many legal and market uncertainties remain as to lead technology in the long term. Hodac has subsequently led the calls for a responsible evaluation of the future regulatory regime. He said: "To simply set political figures with no scientific basis at this stage would be to act irresponsibly. "Moreover, it would ignore the pledges made to the industry in CARS 2020, the Commission's recent action plan for a competitive and sustainable automotive industry." These pledges include conducting a 'competitiveness proofing' of all initiatives that might have a major impact on the automotive industry.
