The conflict is probably going to be solved through company- or range-specific standards, or trading. Range-specific standards would be the best solution. I remember Verheugen saying that the premium ranges would have to make the largest sacrifices. Larger cars will have to go hybrid as a result.

What the Parliament thinks of the subject is largely irrelevant as there is a broad consensus on these options in the Commission and the Council, and the alternative to going along with their position is to drag the procedure on past 2009 or not to decide anything.

On the broader topic of cars, this blog post by Jamais Cascio is worth reading.