Criticism of the EU directive
Car countries are calling for a stop to EU penalties for CO2 fleet values
From 2025, German car manufacturers in Europe will also face high penalties if their fleets produce too much climate-damaging carbon dioxide. There is now a cross-party attempt to change that.
In the opinion of the car states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Lower Saxony, the penalties that threaten to be imposed on car manufacturers in the EU from 2025 for exceeding CO2 fleet limits should be stopped. “The impending huge excess levy would lead to a lack of liquidity among automobile manufacturers for further necessary investments in the transformation. Competitive disadvantages, especially compared to Chinese manufacturers, would increase,” says a joint letter from the prime ministers of the three federal states to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (CDU).
Letter signed by Kretschmann, Söder and Weil
The three-page letter was signed by Winfried Kretschmann (Greens, Baden-Württemberg), Markus Söder (CSU, Bavaria) and Stephan Weil (SPD, Lower Saxony) and is available to the German Press Agency.
According to current EU law, car manufacturers face fines if they exceed the so-called fleet limits for CO2 emissions. The limits are expected to become stricter in 2025. Manufacturers have to pay a fine for emitting too much CO2. The European automobile association ACEA has stated that the industry faces taxes of up to 15 billion euros.
On average, for all vehicles registered in the EU in one year, the CO2 limit may not be exceeded. This value is currently 115.1 grams of CO2 per kilometer per vehicle – measured using a special test procedure. It is expected to fall to 93.6 grams in 2025 and to 49.5 grams in 2030. Since even modern combustion engines do not reach this value, car manufacturers have to lower the average through electric cars in order to avoid penalties.
Countries complain about a new competitive situation for the automotive industry
“The excess emissions levy (penalties) was anchored at a time when the international competitive situation was completely different,” it continues. Companies should only have to pay compensation for missed targets if they were responsible for them. Customers are also hesitant to buy electric cars because the charging infrastructure planned by the EU is not sufficient.
Instead of fines, the three country leaders called for a different approach. The fines should be suspended and the planned review of the CO2 limit values must be brought forward to 2025 (or to 2026 for heavy commercial vehicles). There is also a need for a review of the EU regulation for the development of a uniform charging infrastructure. “Any sanctions against companies should only take place after this process has been completed,” emphasized the Prime Minister.
Car manufacturers are missing fines for important investments
It should be avoided that “financial sanctions counteract the efforts of the automotive industry, which is already intensively involved in the development of sustainable vehicles and the development of the corresponding infrastructure,” it said. It is crucial that the EU and industry work together to develop constructive solutions that create incentives and promote dialogue in order to build trust and convince consumers of the benefits of electromobility.
dpa
Source: Stern
