fordthreatens a fine for failing to meet the CO2 targets EU: The overall balance of newly registered Ford cars in Europe could exceed the European Union’s fleet limit this year, according to company information. A delivery stop for the new plug-in hybrid model Kuga “had an impact on our plan to be able to meet the EU emissions regulations for cars for 2020 alone,” said a company spokesman on Tuesday.
The “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” had previously reported that a recall of the new plug-in hybrids of the Kuga had significantly worsened the fleet balance in Europe. As a result, the US car company got into difficulties in complying with the CO2 limits.
At the beginning of last week, according to the report, problems with the batteries of the plug-in SUV became known. Apparently the lithium-ion cells had heated up so much that in some cases the battery burned. The model is currently no longer being delivered, and the 33,000 or so vehicles already registered in Europe will soon have to be returned to the workshops.
“Based on our product and production plan for this year, we had expected that we would comply with the new limit values despite the Covid-related disruptions in our production,” said the Ford spokesman. The “current problems with the Kuga” would have made this much more difficult.
A pool with other manufacturers should avert the fine
In order to avoid threatening fines from the EU, Ford wants to join an “open pool” with other car manufacturers whose new car registrations are below the CO2 fleet limit of an average of 95 grams per kilometer driven. According to information from the “Auto Zeitung”, no decision has yet been made about a partner. “Either Renault and Volvo, however, had already announced that they were basically open to a corresponding cooperation. “
Ford did not comment on more detailed plans on Tuesday when asked. The carmaker announced that in return it would also set up a CO2 pool for light commercial vehicles, from which other manufacturers should then benefit. In this vehicle segment, Ford will probably “exceed” the CO2 targets.