A Greenpeace 'low-emissions convoy' of car models that meet the EU's emissions target of CO2 per km drove through the streets of Brussels yesterday.

The convoy of eight cars stopped on Place Luxembourg, outside the European Parliament, to show that low emission models are already available today, refuting manufacturers' claims that they need more time to comply.

©Greenpeace/Reynaers

All the cars in the convoy met the target that the EU aims to bring in 2012, when cars will need to restrict emissions to 120g/km of CO2. Car makers argue that this deadline will be impossible to meet but all 7 cars showed that it’s not only possible but it is happening right now.

In fact there are over 100 models available now from coupés to estate cars, on sale by members of the car industry group ACEA who are lobbying hard to get a phase in of these targets, giving their members until 2015 to comply fully.

©Greenpeace/Reynaers

Hopefully our elected MEPs noticed the clean graffiti that sprung up around the parliament over the weekend. Greenpeace campaigners from Brussels worked hard to clean up the streets over the weekend using high pressure water hoses and stencils to leave a message on car emissions. Remember, these stencils are what were left behind after the pavements and walls were cleaned up – and that includes pollution pumped out by car exhausts up and down the city.