A key committee at the legislature votes on Monday on proposals by the executive European Commission to curb average CO2 emissions from new cars to 120 grams per km by 2012, compared to current levels of around 158 grams per km.

The TNS survey showed 87 percent of those polled in Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain supported measures to reduce the fuel consumption of new cars by a quarter, a cut equivalent to meeting the 120 gram target.

"Citizens are sending a loud and clear message to politicians and carmakers to shift fuel efficiency up a gear," Jeroen Verhoeven of Friends of the Earth Europe said.

Carmakers, especially those producing luxury models in Germany, are lobbying to extend the deadline, citing long production cycles for new vehicles. They say the legislation would harm their business and lead to job losses.

But the poll showed 64 percent believed the planned measures would benefit the economy because consumers would buy less fuel and have more to spend on other goods.

Friends of the Earth charged that automakers had failed to improve fuel efficiency much over past decades despite huge technological advances.

It quoted the example of German car producer Volkswagen's Beetle model, which used about 7.5 litres of petrol per 100 km when produced just after World War Two. The 2008 Beetle Luna consumes a similar amount of fuel.

The car proposal is part of a wider EU plan to slash CO2 emissions by at least one fifth by 2020, compared with 1990 levels.

France hopes to clinch a final deal during its presidency over the bloc in the second half of 2008. A compromise is expected to emerge from complex negotiations between the European Parliament and the EU's 27 governments.

Under the Commission's proposal, improved engine technology is to achieve a cut to 130 grams per km, with other improvements in tyres, gears and air conditioning to do the rest. Carmakers failing to meet the target are to face fines. (Reporting by Marcin Grajewski; Editing by Dale Hudson)