Europe's politicians must listen to carmakers before they approve tougher environmental laws, Franz-Josef Paefgen, Bentley CEO, said.

Concerns about climate change are real but "it doesn't help when the debate becomes excessively emotional," Paefgen told the 2008 Automotive News Europe Congress here.

"It appears cars such as ours have been singled out by some people as their favorite targets," Paefgen said.

He said Europe is home of the world's best known luxury car brands and they represent a significant contribution to Europe's balance of trade, employment, technology and the region's global prestige.

"When European politicians and officials seek to address the broad industry issues, I would hope they consider the full effects of their policies on business, on the economy, on jobs," he said.

The European Commission is considering legislation to cut the average CO2 emissions from new cars sold in Europe to 120 grams per kilometer by 2012 from about 160g/km now.

The average tailpipe CO2 emissions of Bentley cars are about 400g/km, Bentley's head of engineering, Ulrich Eichhorn said at the Geneva auto show in March.

Paefgen said the Commission has missed a chance to accelerate the use of renewable energy by focusing solely on CO2 emissions in its proposals for the auto industry.

"Policy should foster such developments rather than create burdens that hinder them," Paefgen said.

Bentley aims to reduce CO2 emissions by improving the fuel efficiency of its existing engines, developing new, fuel-efficient engines and increasing the use of renewable fuels in its cars.

Bentley wants legislators to take into account the CO2 emissions that occur in the supply chain for the fuel, which is known as the well-to-wheel measurement.

Said Paefgen: "On a well-to-wheel basis, the entire Bentley model range will become capable of delivering less than 120g/km CO2 by 2012."

You may e-mail John Revill at jrevill@craincom.de