The chairman of the European People’s Party, Manfred Weber, is calling for the threat of fines from car manufacturers to be suspended as part of the planned stricter fleet requirements for CO2 emissions. “If tens of thousands of jobs are shaky, then there is no time to pay fines,” Weber told the “Augsburger Allgemeine”. The head of the largest parliamentary group in the European Parliament and CSU vice-president also called for all EU requirements for the automotive industry to be put to the test. “We need a general revision of all laws and regulations for the auto industry,” said Weber. “Otherwise we will not be able to make this important industry sustainable and secure jobs.” Mass manufacturers such as Volkswagen and Renault need a clear perspective, warned the European politician. It could be that some environmental standards that go beyond the target will also be questioned, he added. Gradually reducing CO2 emissions The EU wants to gradually tighten the so-called fleet targets for the emission of climate-damaging carbon dioxide (CO2). The current average of 115.1 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer and vehicle is expected to fall to 93.6 grams in 2025 and to 49.5 grams in 2030. If too much CO2 is emitted, manufacturers face fines.More on the topicThe industry fears additional billions in costs given the reduced demand for electric cars. VW supervisory board chairman Hans Dieter Pötsch recently called for the CO2 fleet targets to be relaxed. Environmentalists are against it.
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