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Friday, September 11, 2020
The German auto industry is suffering the consequences of the Corona crisis. But their calls for help come less than before. On the contrary: the EU wants to drastically tighten the CO2 limit values for new cars by 2030. Merkel may not slow down this time.
According to a media report, the EU Commission is planning to adjust its savings targets for polluting emissions from new vehicles. By 2030, these should emit 50 percent less CO2, and not 37.5 percent as previously planned, the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” reported. That stems from a document to toughen climate protection plans, which should be presented next week. The plans would also include the option of integrating the transport and construction sectors into the European emissions trading system, the newspaper said. That could make gasoline or diesel fuel significantly more expensive.
A spokeswoman for the EU Commission declined to comment. The plans meet resistance in the auto industry. “We stand behind the very ambitious goals agreed upon,” declared the Automotive Industry Association (VDA) in the evening. “However, the German auto industry strongly rejects any further adjustment to the 2030 target.” It in no way takes into account the dramatic economic recession and the consequences of the crown crisis, which put pressure on the industry in addition to its own restructuring. The market share of electric cars should be 50 percent. The market share for new registrations is currently 7.2 percent.
Merkel and Altmaier’s tailwind
According to a document available to Reuters, the EU Commission wants to set its CO2 savings climate target of “at least 55 percent” compared to 1990 levels by 2030. Chancellor Angela Merkel supported the project on Thursday. . Federal Economy Minister Peter Altmaier also changed course on climate policy at noon and now wants to prepare Germany for profound change.
“I am of the opinion that we have to understand climate protection as the central and foremost task of our generation and act accordingly,” said the CDU politician in Berlin. They made mistakes and were too slow. In order not to slow down the task through electoral campaigns, the Bundestag and Bundesrat should adopt a “Charter for climate neutrality and economic power”. Churches or environmental associations should also participate. He suggested a total of 20 points: a CO2 savings target and a share of gross domestic product should be set for climate protection every year by 2050. If the EU climate target is higher, the expected price of CO2 in Germany will have to go up.
