Relaxed CO2 Limits for Cars: A Breather for Manufacturers?
Anticipated Determination for Reducing carbon dioxide Emissions Standards for Automobiles by This Week - Relaxation of CO2 Emission Standards for Cars to be Decided on Thursday
Are you a fan of the four-wheeled beauties? Well, strap in, because modern auto industry news is about to get chaotic! The European Commission is set to make a decision about the relaxation of CO2 limits for cars on Thursday. This decision could be a much-needed "breather" for manufacturers struggling to meet the tightened emissions targets.
Let's break it down: Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, has proposed a lenient approach. Car companies can offset the carbon dioxide emissions of their 2022 new cars with the values of the following two years, giving them a three-year window to make up for any shortcomings. Companies like Volkswagen and Renault, who are struggling to keep up, have urged for this flexibility, as failing to meet EU targets could result in hefty fines.
But what are we talking about exactly? These regulations concern the so-called fleet limits - essentially, rules about the maximum average CO2 emissions for new cars sold by manufacturers. Each carmaker has their own individual value, which has been decreasing steadily and is set to reach zero by 2035, effectively phasing out new internal combustion engine cars.
Interestingly, the law already provides another way for manufacturers to avoid penalties: they can join forces with competitors in so-called pools, with an average limit applying. Before the vote on Thursday, the European Parliament could introduce further changes, even altering the combustion engine phase-out. However, this would require complex negotiations with the 27 EU member states.
But here's the kicker: With the phase-out of combustion engines looming, this could become a point of contention in the new German government. Unlike the EU, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) wants to stick to the phase-out. If they manage to hold their ground, manufacturers will have to focus on electric vehicle technologies to stay afloat. So buckle up, folks! The race to zero emissions is on!
Sources
- jhm/oer
- Auto
- European Parliament
- EU
- Strasbourg
- Ursula von der Leyen
- [1] carscoops.com
- [2] greencarreports.com
- [3] transportenvironment.org
- [4] cleanenergywire.org
- [5] reuters.com
- The European Commission, set to decide on relaxed CO2 limits for cars, may offer a reprieve for manufacturers struggling to meet the stringent emissions targets.
- Under the proposed leniency, automakers can offset the carbon dioxide emissions of their 2022 new cars with the values of the following two years, extending a three-year grace period for meeting targets.
- The decision, concerning fleet limits (maximum average CO2 emissions for new cars sold by manufacturers), could lead to a relaxation of the phase-out of new internal combustion engine cars, which is set to reach zero by 2035.
- The relaxation decision, set to be voted on by the European Parliament, could potentially face changes, even altering the combustion engine phase-out, requiring complex negotiations with the 27 EU member states.
- The relaxation of emissions limits could stir debates in the new German government, as the Social Democratic Party (SPD) favors sticking to the phase-out of combustion engines.
- If the SPD holds their ground, manufacturers will be compelled to focus on electric vehicle technologies to stay competitive, as the race to zero emissions accelerates.
- The decision on CO2 limits for cars and the phase-out of combustion engines is closely monitored by environmental science, industry, finance, transportation, and automotive circles, due to its potential impact on climate-change and the environment.
