Carmakers Balk at New EU Emission Limits

The European Commission is expected today to address next steps in automotive emissions as it looks for ways to meet its target of lowering greenhouse gases 40% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels.

But France and Germany say the auto industry is already struggling to meet carbon dioxide emission limits of 95 g/km by 2021. The countries argue in a joint statement that pending proposals before the European Legislature to lower that target to 78 g/km or less by 2025 are too much and too soon.

In a joint declaration, France and Germany say CO₂ limits beyond 2021 are surrounded by enough uncertainty to make them almost impossible to meet. For one thing, the Financial Times notes, the EU is still developing new testing methods to measure compliance.

The Franco-German statement asks that any further CO₂ reductions be postponed until 2030. Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, who also is heading the ACEA trade group for a second year, says carmakers also need a clear view of what regulators want.

Environmental groups contend that stretching out the pace threatens the long-term competitiveness of Europe's auto industry. They say delaying tougher standards gives Asian carmakers more time to gain an advantage in "the global technology race to replace internal combustion engines."