DPA
Exhaust gas measurement on the exhaust of a diesel car
Tougher CO2 fleet targets by 2030, in addition to diesel driving bans and imminent further restrictions in many major German cities: For Germany auto industry The past few days have been anything but easy. Germany’s most important sector today received the latest blow: According to a controversial compromise by the EU environment ministers, many manufacturers are significantly reducing the emission of the greenhouse gas CO2 from their vehicles – and though by 35 percent by 2030 instead of the industry’s hoped for 30 percent.
In other areas, the car manufacturers are increasingly under pressure. German diesel drivers threaten the Berlin court judgment on track closures in the capital even more restrictions. From politics come demands, the corporation if necessary high fines should not further reduce car emissions.
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The new CO2 fleet targets criticized the automakers as a possible job killer. After long negotiations, the EU states agreed late Tuesday evening that new cars in 2030 should blow at least 35 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air than in 2020. In addition Then 35 percent of cars should have little or no emissions. The EU Commission had originally proposed a reduction of 30 percent – a value that the German auto industry considered feasible.
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Many other countries, however, wanted a reduction of 40 percent or more. Austria, which currently holds the EU Presidency, pleaded as a compromise for 35 percent reduction and ultimately enforced it. As an interim target, at least 15 percent should be reached by 2025.
Of particular importance to the automotive industry is how fast it has to convert production to electric cars and other alternative propulsion systems. The stricter the CO2 requirements, the faster manufacturers must increase the proportion of such vehicles in order to achieve their overall average. The industry warns about job losses if the change is too fast.
Video: Germany breaks in on CO2 limits
Image: REUTERS
The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) and the European Manufacturers Association Acea criticized the decisions of the environment ministers. These are economically and technically not realistic, said VDA President Bernhard Mattes. The European industry would be overburdened in the competition, jobs would be endangered, he warned. “In addition, guidelines ultimately do not help the climate targets if they can not be fulfilled.”
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