Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News Mexico
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • Car Cutaways
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • Sales and Retail
    • Latest Launches
    • On The Move
    • Nissan Europe boss suffers sales slide to prep for profitable future
      musk_i.jpg
      Elon Musk beats back defamation lawsuit over 'pedo guy' tweet
      Mercedes exec outlines next steps in road toward autonomous driving
      Aston Martin is not looking for new shareholders, CEO says
    • 1STRIKERS-MAIN_i.jpg
      Automakers are cutting 80,000 jobs globally as EV shift upends industry
      U.S. has not ruled out tariffs on imported cars, commerce chief says
      Germany's auto industry jobs boom comes to a halt
      Germany's VDA auto lobby will pick former utility manager Mueller as president, report says
    • Suppliers to the new Ford Focus
      adient-main_i.jpg
      Adient will reach breakeven by 2020, CEO says
      BMW badges 3 web.jpg
      BMW sues Valeo, Denso over price fixing
      Bosch logo.jpg
      Bosch will develop fuel cell batteries in China
    • Suppliers to the new Ford Focus
      Suppliers to the new Lamborghini Urus
      Suppliers to the new BMW X2
      Suppliers to the Dacia Duster
    • Tesla, Porsche, Audi and VW gain as German sales rise 10% in November
      Italy sales rise 2% in November on self registrations
      Russia will support car sales with $78M loan subsidies, reports say
      European sales rise 9% in October, driven by WLTP rebound
    • UK sales fall 1% in November
      Tesla, Porsche, Audi and VW gain as German sales rise 10% in November
      Italy sales rise 2% in November on self registrations
      McLaren looks to Asia, hybrids as it moves toward potential public offering
    • ELVA-MAIN_i.jpg
      McLaren harnesses the magic of its limited runs
      Porsche promotes Taycan's Tesla-topping recharge speed
      Kia bullish on newest member of Ceed range
      Polestar 1 sets standard for 2-year-old brand
    • VW Group shakes up design leadership
      Sato
      Chief engineer appointed to lead Lexus
      German auto lobby picks utilities expert as new head
      Redesigned Land Rovoer Discovery Sport at Guangzhou aut show.jpg
      Jaguar Land Rover names new China sales chief
  • Auto Shows
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Frankfurt Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Genesis logo web.jpg
      Hyundai's Genesis preps Geneva show appearance
      Rimac readies 1,914-hp EV hypercar for Geneva debut
      Tesla Model S gets wagon makeover
      Lamborghini Aventador replacement will be a hybrid
    • Frankfurt show's visitor plunge could mean its end
      Frankfurt's no-shows, darkened halls signal an industry in flux
      German industry faces an image crisis amid falling sales
      Frankfurt hits and misses
    • Lamborghini concept hints at move to less extreme looks
      view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux A2.0 sedan
      Vietnam's first automaker now has names for first sedan, SUV
      view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux SA2.0 SUV
    • VW will launch SOL EV brand in China with subcompact crossover
      view gallery
      9 photos
      BMW's iX3 concept heralds electric expansion
      view gallery
      5 photos
      Audi Q5L
      view gallery
      9 photos
      BMW Concept iX3
    • Pininfarina to expand China team despite market downturn
      Return of the bench seat? Concept EVs show space big enough for sofas
      Lexus plans its first EV for Europe, China push
      Chinese automaker will shun dealers in Europe, U.S. markets
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
    • volvoxc40bev-driver-side-charging-05.jpg
      How Tesla influenced a key element of Volvo’s first EV
      Alfa Romeo could be Tavares' toughest turnaround
      Formula E races to keep pace with EV technology
      Why Bosch bet big on breakeven chips
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • view gallery
      11 photos
      Renault Captur
      view gallery
      5 photos
      Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 53
      view gallery
      10 photos
      Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe
      view gallery
      14 photos
      Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
    • view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux A2.0 sedan
      view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux SA2.0 SUV
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Seat Tarraco
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Toyota Corolla station wagon
    • view gallery
      4 photos
      Nio ET Preview
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Infiniti Qs Inspiration concept
      view gallery
      5 photos
      BMW 3-series LWB
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Mini Clubman
  • Maps
    • E-Car & Component Map of Europe
    • Powertrain Map of Europe
    • Assembly Plant Map of Europe
  • Supplements
    • Connected Car
    • Talk From The Top
    • BMW 100
    • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • Automotive News Europe Congress
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    • Meet the winners
  • E-MAGAZINE
    • Read the latest issue
    • Download the app
    • Digital Archives
    • Subscribe
  • More
    • Social Media
    • E-Magazine
    • Contact Us
    • 2019 Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Automotive News Europe
October 09, 2018 01:00 AM

Automakers criticize EU's 35% CO2 reduction target

Staff and wire reports
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    LUXEMBOURG -- Automakers criticized a proposed 35 percent CO2 emissions reduction target for new cars in the European Union, saying the goal could hit the industry's competitiveness.

    On Tuesday, European Union nations agreed that the bloc's fleet average CO2 emissions for new cars should be reduced by 35 percent by 2030 compared with 2021 levels. Several countries had sought a higher, 40 percent reduction in line with targets backed by EU lawmakers last week, with Ireland and the Netherlands among those voicing disappointment with Tuesday's compromise deal.

    Germany, with its big auto sector, warned that overly challenging targets risked harming industry and jobs. Berlin had backed an EU executive proposal for a 30 percent cut by 2030. Germany yielded after winning a separate concession: an interim review of the tougher rules.

    Germany, with the backing of eastern European nations, had held a blocking minority among the 28 nations against the more ambitious targets, EU sources said.

    But a last-minute amendment helped ease concerns among poorer member states over the new rules, which also create a crediting system encouraging automakers to raise sales of electric cars. It would allow for a different accounting in countries where the current market penetration of zero- and low-emissions vehicles is less than 60 percent below the average in the bloc.

    Car-industry groups in the EU criticized the ministerial agreement, saying on Wednesday that it would threaten automotive jobs and consumer choice in Europe.

    "Although the CO2 reduction levels agreed on by the member states yesterday are less aggressive than those voted by the European Parliament last week, they still risk having a negative impact on industry competitiveness, auto workers and consumers alike," Erik Jonnaert, head of the European automakers' lobby group ACEA, said in a statement.

    ACEA said the benchmark system to incentivize zero- and low-emissions vehicles proposed by the European Commission and member states, gives the right signal to industry and consumers. "However, the association remains concerned that the penalty-based system supported by Members of the European Parliament last week – combined with high sales quotas – is not in line with reality and would interfere with the principle of technology neutrality," it said.

    Germany’s VDA federation called the accord “more than regrettable” and said the ministers missed a chance to find a fair balance between climate goals and job security.

    Europe's Climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete said the compromise gained the support of 20 nations, with 4 voting against and 4 abstaining.

    The deal includes a 15 percent reduction target for cars and vans in 2025, according to Brussels-based green lobby group Transport & Environment, which called the compromise "disappointing" because it put automakers interests first despite the dire warning of the effects of "dangerous climate change." A controversial derogation of niche manufacturers making up to 300,000 cars was extended, notably benefiting Jaguar Land Rover, the group said.

    Torn between reducing pollution and preserving industry competitiveness, EU environment ministers meeting on Tuesday talked for more than 13 hours until nearly midnight to reach a compromise.

    The final rules will now be hashed out in talks beginning on Wednesday with the EU's two other lawmaking bodies: the European Parliament, which is seeking a more ambitious climate target, and the European Commission, which proposed a lower one.

    The EU’s current average caps on CO2 from cars are 130 grams per kilometer set for 2015 and 95 grams fixed for 2021 -- limits that, as a result of German-led pressure, are weaker than what the bloc had originally planned.

    In a draft law last year, the European Commission, the EU’s regulatory arm, proposed reductions of 15 percent in 2025 and 30 percent in 2030. In addition, the Brussels-based commission outlined a system of extra incentives for electric-vehicle production through credits against the stricter CO2 limits.

    Three key differences need to be worked out in the negotiations starting on Wednesday with the EU Parliament on a final version of legislation. In addition to the CO2 cap in 2030, these include calls by the assembly for a 20 percent cut in 2025 and for a 35 percent quota for zero- and low-emission vehicles in 2030.

    Curbs on the transport sector, the only industry in which emissions are still rising, aim to help the EU bloc meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gases by at least 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

    About 15 million autos are sold each year in the EU, with cars accounting for more than a tenth of the bloc’s releases of CO2, the main greenhouse gas blamed for rising global temperatures. Electric vehicles in Europe have a market share of around 1.5 percent.

    Reuters and Bloomberg contributed to this report

    Related Articles
    German industry says new CO2 target threatens jobs
    Monthly E-Magazine
    View latest issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Automotive News Europe Monthly E-Magazine

    Sign up to receive your free link to each monthly issue of Automotive News Europe as soon as it's published.

    GET THE E-MAGAZINE
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • 2019 Media Kit
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2019. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • Car Cutaways
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • Sales and Retail
      • Latest Launches
      • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
      • Geneva Auto Show
      • Frankfurt Auto Show
      • Paris Auto Show
      • Beijing Auto Show
      • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Maps
      • E-Car & Component Map of Europe
      • Powertrain Map of Europe
      • Assembly Plant Map of Europe
    • Supplements
      • Connected Car
      • Talk From The Top
      • BMW 100
      • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • Automotive News Europe Congress
      • Rising Stars
        • Meet the winners
      • Eurostars
      • Leading Women
    • E-MAGAZINE
      • Read the latest issue
      • Download the app
      • Digital Archives
      • Subscribe
    • More
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • E-Magazine
      • Contact Us
      • 2019 Media Kit
      • About Us