EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (66) has promised car manufacturers loosened exhaust gas regulations. In order to avert impending fines, she proposed on Monday after a meeting with industry representatives in Brussels, to give the car companies three years instead of only the current year to fulfill the so-called fleet limit values for CO₂ emissions. This gave the manufacturers “a breathing while”, emphasized von der Leyen.
The carmakers would have to “continue to achieve the tightened goals for the emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂) for their new car fleet, but they get more scope,” emphasized von der Leyen. If the EU Parliament and Member States agree to their proposal, the corporations would have time for this until 2027.
Volkswagen wants more, BMW less flexibility in exhaust gas regulations
The EU gives manufacturers to how much carbon dioxide the new cars they produce can only emit on average. The average for all new cars this year drops from 116 grams of CO₂ emissions per kilometer to 93.6 g/km. Electric cars are considered emission -free – they can be offset against “dirty” SUVs. Large manufacturers such as Volkswagen and Renault Nevertheless, have problems reaching the tightened exhaust gas requirements. They had demanded more flexibility from Brussels, because if the EU goals are missed, fines in the billions threaten.
Environmentalists criticized the planned loosening of the requirements. The Association Transport and Environment (T&E) spoke of an “unprecedented gift for Europe’s auto industry”. In contrast, from the Leyen defended her proposal as “balanced”. He was also fair to those “who have made their homework successful”. Among other things BMW and the Stellis Group around Fiat, Bangot and Opel had spoken out against more flexibility for the competition because they reach the new EU emissions goals.
Burner-off should be checked
At the same time, Leyen wants to open a possible back door for the combustion engine applicable from 2035. She wanted to “accelerate the work on the review for 2035, with unrestricted technology neutrality being a central principle,” emphasized the head of the commission. The EU has decided to reduce the fleet limit values to 0 grams of CO₂ by 2035- technically, cars with petrol or diesel drive cannot do this. Accordingly, they should then no longer be approved. The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) demands exceptions from this rule – including for hybrid vehicles. However, this is politically controversial in the EU.
Before her short appearance, from the Leyen had met with representatives of the auto industry for the second time within four weeks. Representatives of BMW and Volkswagen, among other things, took part in the “strategic dialogue” as well as manufacturers such as Renault, Stellantis and Volvo. The head of the commission called for more willingness to innovate on this occasion. “We need a big boost with software and hardware for autonomous driving,” she emphasized. The worldwide competition in this area is hard.
In the area of electromobility, she prospect more direct aids and less bureaucracy. “We must not make electric vehicles more expensive, but we cannot afford new dependencies,” she said, referring to the significantly cheaper offers China. Von der Leyen continues its “strategic dialogues” on Tuesday. Then she meets representatives of the troubled steel industry.