The eco-innovations mechanism rewards innovative technologies that produce real-world CO2 savings beyond what is measured over the standardized test cycle during vehicle type approval.

The EEA recently released a preliminary dataset on the CO2 emissions performance of new passenger cars in the EU in 2017. This dataset is used by the European Commission to monitor and evaluate whether manufacturers are in compliance with mandatory CO2 emission targets for passenger cars.

This briefing compares the fleet characteristics and fuel-efficiency technology deployment in China, Europe and the U.S. from 2010 to 2014. In addition, the briefing evaluates the response of the passenger vehicle market in China to the country’s fuel efficiency standards.

The number of electric and plug-in hybrid cars on the world’s roads exceeded 3 million in 2017, a 54% increase compared with 2016, according to the latest edition of the International Energy Agency’s Global Electric Vehicles Outlook. China remained by far the largest electric car market in the world, accounting for half sold last year.