Germany: Government rejects proposed EC emissions plans

Wednesday, January 31, 2007,

AutomotiveWorld.com

Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, has said that though she regrets the failure of OEMs to achieve voluntary carbon dioxide emissions targets, she will oppose the European Commission's plan to impose a general limit on emissions from cars, according to Reuters.

Speaking to economists and business leaders at a business conference in Berlin, Merkel said her government will ensure that the EU does not set down a general limit for all cars. She said that having different emissions limits for different car sizes would be more appropriate.

Wolfgang Tiefensee, German transport minister, has also proposed different ceilings based on the category of the car so that a general rule does not hurt German OEMs, including BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Volkswagen and Porsche. As these companies build many heavy vehicles with large engines and resultant higher emissions, they will be hard hit by a general limit.

Merkel said that environmental initiatives such as an increased use of biofuels should also be taken into account while proposing climate change targets. She has also rejected the EC's emissions trading programme for the automotive industry.

Although European OEMs have already signed a voluntary agreement to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new cars to an average of 140g/km by 2008, that target will not be achieved.

Jose Manuel Barroso, European Commission President and Stavros Dimas, Environment Commissioner, have proposed mandatory legislation which will require OEMs to reduce carbon dioxide emissions of new cars to an average of 120g/km in 2012.

Though the European Commission is yet to comment on Merkel's remarks, sources said that her statement is seen as an attempt to reassure Germany's powerful automotive industry.

Earlier, Michael Glos, of Germany's economy ministry, said that the ministry was considering a legal complaint against the carbon dioxide emissions plan but added that the inquiry was a precautionary measure and no decision has been made, reported Reuters. Sigmar Gabriel, German environment minister, however, rejected the idea.

Germany began its six-month presidency of the EU on 1 January 2007.

Published on Wednesday, January 31, 2007