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Green-tinged MEPs are seriously worried that a deal is being done to weaken plans to cut greenhouse gases from cars.

So that the new laws can zoom through the parliament at the speed of a big black German car, a deal may be clinched tonight between the EU countries and some key MEPs - although the whole parliament won't get to vote on it until the third week of December^*.

One of the key issues is the level of fines that will hit car makers who don't meet the new targets.
The last time the parliament voted, they went for fines that would hurt, whereas the British and German governments are more in favour of a slap on the wrist - a fine that would be more like a licence.

European Union ambassadors are talking about this right now, but some MEPs are worried that the member negotiating with them, , has called a news conference for tomorrow morning.

This suggests that he thinks he has something he can sell to his colleagues: his last deal was voted down by the parliament after a rather surprising rebellion by the socialists and some members of the Christian Democrats.

"What's his rush?" one interested MEP asked. "He should carry on negotiating until they blink: we've got another three weeks."

last week suggesting that the governments of the car-making nations of the EU are showing "a lack of ambition".

^*For "December", this copy initially read "November". Apologies to readers and thanks to commenter Tantivvy for spotting it.

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