After numerous stalled talks, European carmakers have agreed to cut greenhouse gases by 18 percent from new vehicles in the next six years.

While British lawmakers insist that the compromise is best for both the environment and the car industry, environmentalists and automakers think otherwise. 

The German automobile federation VDA claims the compromise ignores the car sector's financial crisis, while environmental advocates believe that it caters to the auto industry.

As a result of the agreement, CO2 emissions from new cars have to be cut to 130 grams per km. By 2020, emissions have to be cut to 95 grams per km. 

Automakers that violate the new law will be fined 95 Euros per gram per car sold— a heavy fine, but it often seems that without consequences automakers find little reason to change their ways.