BERLIN -- German companies including Mercedes-Benz and BMW, are attempting to reduce gas use in response to a government plea to spare reserves, but savings may be limited without production cuts, companies and industry associations across autos, chemicals and engineering told Reuters.
Switching from gas to other fuels, such as coal or oil as a short-term solution is possible for companies with burners on-site, but Berlin needs to help by speeding approvals for resulting higher carbon emissions, associations said.
Mercedes-Benz said it is now replacing its natural gas-fueled combined heat and power plants with green electricity, declining to specify what type.
BMW said it was already reducing its gas intake but further savings were only possible for a limited period without jeopardizing output.
"The entire industry must be taken into account and savings managed centrally in order to ensure neutrality in competition," a spokesperson for BMW said.
Bosch, the world's largest supplier, said it had lowered the temperature in offices and logistics spaces, as has Volkswagen Group's premium car brand Audi.