European carmakers might reach an agreement on how to share the burden of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new vehicles by July, the head of ACEA said this week.

Manufacturers have been debating whether to share the burden as a group or leave each member of their association do its part.

"The question of how the burden is to be shared equitably is something that needs to be discussed," Sergio Marchionne, head of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) and Chief Executive Officer of Italian car-maker Fiat, told reporters on the sidelines of an event.

"I wouldn't see anything before the end of the second quarter at the earliest," he said. "There is an openness on the part of all members to look at what is good overall for the industry notwithstanding the fact that we think there is a high level of unrealism associated with these measures and the time lines," he said.

Marchionne also said it was unfair for carmakers to shoulder the burden of emission reduction goals. “It is clear the vehicle industry cannot solve the CO2 problem on its own. Further cost-effective contributions can only be made when the on-going technological improvements of this industry are complemented by other measures: improving traffic management, adjusting infrastructure, increasing the use and availability of alternative fuels, changing driver behaviour and influencing customer demand through taxation," he said.

ACEA has warned the EC’s firm stance of emission reduction would lead to job losses throughout the automotive sector and hamper competitiveness.

The EC wants CO2 emissions to reduce average emissions to 120g/km by 2012 compared with current levels of about 163g/km per vehicle.