BRUSSELS, Sept 25 - European Union lawmakers rejected delaying plans to limit carbon dioxide emissions from cars on Thursday, in a surprise backlash against easing the auto industry's burden in the fight against climate change.
"This was a big surprise," said German Green group member Rebecca Harms. "There was a big fight with industry and governments, and the Germans and French were adding a lot of pressure."
The European Parliament's environment committee rejected proposals by other lawmakers for a phase-in of the European Commission's blue-print to cap CO2 emissions from new cars at 130 grams per km in 2012 across the fleet, compared with a current EU average of 158g.
Italian socialist member Guido Sacconi, who was guiding the legislation through the committee, had proposed a swathe of concessions to industry including phasing in the limit, starting with 70 percent compliance in 2012 and moving up to full compliance in 2015.
"In the dark hours of last night, the members added up all the loopholes and the various percentages and realized this wasn't good enough for the environment," said Swedish liberal Lena Ek.
"A few of the conservatives moved to the center, the socialists were split and all the other groups stuck together, and we ended up with a better line," she added.
Lawmakers also rejected proposals to lower the fines for non-compliance to 50 euros per gram/km from a Commission proposal for fines of up to 95 euros.
The committee's vote could set parliament's final stance as it heads into negotiations with member nations to decide the binding targets.
(Reporting by Pete Harrison)