Germany Looking To Torpedo EU CO2 Rules

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

In the face of potential CO2 regulations that would mandate tough emissions regulations for new cars in the Eurozone, Germany is doing its best to shut them down completely. And the rest of the EU, along with some OEMs, are not happy about it.

The EU is looking to mandate an average fleet emissions of 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer for new cars sold in 2020. This is roughly equivalent to what a current model Prius emits, and would understandably require a serious effort on the part of OEMs to meet these targets. If you’re someone like PSA , Fiat or Renault, that specializes in small, highly efficient engines, this isn’t such a big deal. Current fleet averages for the EU are at 132 grams per kilometer

On the other hand, this is not good for the German marques. Companies like BMW, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz will suffer the most, especially their performance car lineups. According to Automotive News Europe, Germany has been doing everything it can to make sure that its manufacturers get away unscathed

Germany has been lobbying for weeks to shelter its premium car sector from the tighter regulations by campaigning for loopholes, known as supercredits. These allow manufacturers to carry on producing vehicles with high emissions provided they also make some very low emissions vehicles.

On Monday, Ireland brokered a compromise deal that allowed automakers to continue to offset sales of electric and other green vehicles against those of cars with high emissions, but the agreement achieved less than Germany had hoped for.

Instead of a compromise, ANE reports that Germany is now looking to overturn the whole thing, since they have given up on trying to change the agreement itself. This would understandably upset many in the environmentally conscious Eurozone, but it would also mean increased longevity for cars like the Mercedes-Benz SLS, which wouldn’t be the same with a 4-cylinder hybrid drivetrain, would it?

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • CelticPete CelticPete on Jun 29, 2013

    Personally I think global warming is real. But.. #1. Don't think anything could be done to it unless we underwent MASSIVE change. If we started breaking ground on a new Nuclear power facility every single month for like 5 years - then we would be able to cut down on fossil fuel use. But realistically that's not going to happen. We can't even build that many at once. #2. Scientists seem unable to tell us how bad the change will be on our current path. Its really important to know how much hotter its going to get before we decide against global warming. Throw in the fact that in significant parts of the world - they are probably pretty pro-global warming in a way. For example I doubt Moscow citizens are really concerned about having warmer winters. With those two problems its just alot of posturing and feel good stuff. The Prius is a great example. People drive it because it makes them feel good - like they are saving the world. But they would be better off moving into the city and riding bikes etc.

  • Inside Looking Out Inside Looking Out on Jun 29, 2013

    Is it the beginning of the Malaise Era in Europe? I can imagine state of Michigan behaved the same way as Germany in 70s but it was like trying to stop the clock. According to the law of entropy you cannot reverse time. Obama also is coming with CO2 legislation so for Germans there is nowhere to hide. On the other hand Tesla makes luxury cars which emit zero CO2. My advice to Europeans - you better start worrying about extinction both cultural and physical.

    • See 1 previous
    • Herb Herb on Jun 30, 2013

      Simply no, don't worry. The "Malaise Era in Europe" is with PSA, FIAT - those who "specialize in small, highly efficient engines" (which they obviously can't sell because of lack of demand, worldwide), as opposed to the car companies in Europe that specialize in bigger, "highly efficient engines" that sell. Why should it be up to a political institution like the EU Commission (with a proven history to react erratically and insane) to ruin a successful business model because they favor an unsuccessful one, on whatever reasons)?

  • Jpolicke In a communist dictatorship, there isn't much export activity that the government isn't aware of. That being the case, if the PRC wanted to, they could cut the flow of fentanyl down to a trickle. Since that isn't happening, I therefore assume Xi Jinping doesn't want it cut. China needs to feel the consequences for knowingly poisoning other countries' citizens.
  • El scotto Oh, ye nattering nabobs of negativism! Think of countries like restaurants. Our neighbors to the north and south are almost as good and the service is fantastic. They're awfully close to being as good as the US. Oh the Europeans are interesting and quaint but you really only go there a few times a year. Gents, the US is simply the hottest restaurant in town. Have to stand in line to get in? Of course. Can you hand out bribes to get in quicker? Of course. Suppliers and employees? Only the best on a constant basis.Did I mention there is a dress code? We strictly enforce it. Don't like it? Suck it.
  • 1995 SC At least you can still get one. There isn't much for Ford folks to be happy about nowadays, but the existence of the Mustang and the fact that the lessons from back in the 90s when Ford tried to kill it and replace it with the then flavor of the day seem to have been learned (the only lessons they seem to remember) are a win not only for Ford folks but for car people in general. One day my Super Coupe will pop its headgaskets (I know it will...I read it on the Internet). I hope I will still be physically up to dropping the supercharged Terminator Cobra motor into it. in all seriousness, The Mustang is a.win for car guys.
  • Lorenzo Heh. The major powers, military or economic, set up these regulators for the smaller countries - the big guys do what they want, and always have. Are the Chinese that unaware?
  • Lorenzo The original 4-Runner, by its very name, promised something different in the future. What happened?
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