RPT-UPDATE 2-EU lawmakers snub big carmakers over carbon curbs

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By Pete Harrison

BRUSSELS, Sept 25 (Reuters) - EU lawmakers rejected a bid to delay planned limits on carbon dioxide emissions from cars in a surprise backlash on Thursday against the motor industry's efforts to ease its burden in the fight against climate change.

"This was a big surprise," German Green group member Rebecca Harms said. "There was a big fight with industry and governments, and the Germans and French were adding a lot of pressure."

German conservative lawmakers led the efforts to soften plans by the European Union's executive Commission for a 17 percent cut in car emissions by 2012, saying the proposal threatened billions of euros of export earnings and thousands of jobs.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has also fought hard on behalf of German automakers, such as Mercedes (DAIGn.DE) and BMW (BMWG.DE), who specialise in heavy luxury vehicles with high emissions.

"We are extremely disappointed," said Ivan Hodac, secretary general of auto manufacturers group ACEA. "They clearly do not care about the competitiveness and job creation of the European car industry. But this is just one step in the procedure. It is not the end of the story."

The European Parliament's environment committee rejected proposals by other lawmakers for a more gradual phase-in of the European Commission's blueprint to cap carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars at 130 grams per km in 2012 across the fleet, compared with a current EU average of 158g.

A further 10g of cuts are hoped to be achieved through measures such as improvements to tyres, fuels and air-conditioning.

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 only reaching full compliance in 2015.

Lawmakers said he had struck a deal with the conservative group that appeared to guarantee him the majority of votes.

DARK HOURS

"In the dark hours of last night, the members added up all the loopholes and the various percentages and realised this wasn't good enough for the environment," said Swedish liberal Lena Ek.

"A few of the conservatives moved to the centre, the socialists were split and all the other groups stuck together, and we ended up with a better line," she added.