German government opposes EU CO2 limit
- EU proposes CO2 target for car makers
- German government worried about economy
- Car manufacturers believe targets are too stiff
New EU proposals to lower average carbon dioxide emissions from cars have come under attack from an unlikely source this week – the German government.
Chancellor Angela Merkel said, 'I think I can go as far as to say that we will prevent a general reduction [in emissions].'
The German government is reported to be worried about potential damage to the German car industry and to the fragile German economy if fleet carbon dioxide emission targets are made law.
German manufacturers VW, DaimlerChrysler, and BMW have sent a letter directly to the EU objecting to the limits, which they call 'massive industrial policy intervention that will burden the entire European automobile industry'.
The EU wants to impose a compulsory limit of 120g/km by 2012 as an average across a car manufacturer's range. It claims that car makers have done little to meet the voluntary 140g/km limit and that legislation is needed.
Meanwhile, The Independent reports further confusion over the EU's attitude towards cars.
The newspaper reports that the EU's top environment official, Stavros Dimas, is considering switching to a hybrid vehicle - either a Lexus or Toyota Prius - when he is due to change his current car in April. If he does so, he will become the first Euro commissioner to have a non-European built car.
Most commissioners have either BMWs or Mercedes. Commission president Jose Barroso has a Volkswagen Touareg 4x4, though he claims never to have driven it - his wife chose the vehicle. Britain's Peter Mandelson has a Jaguar, though a spokesman said the car was seldom used.
What Car?
is brought to you by
Haymarket Consumer MediaWhat Car? is part of Haymarket Motoring
© Haymarket Media Group 2010
