UPDATE: Germany Cautions EU about Tougher CO2 Rules

Germany’s foreign minister complains to the European Commission that imposing tougher carbon dioxide emission rules now for cars sold in 2025-2030 could hamper jobs growth and vehicle innovation.

The EC proposes regulations that would reduce allowable CO₂ emissions from cars 30% by 2030 compared with 2021 levels. The plan, which requires the approval of EU member nations to take effect, would include incentives for carmakers to add more electrified powertrains to their product lineups.

European carmakers currently face CO₂ limits of 95 g/km in 2021 compared with 130 g/km in 2015. Miguel Arias Canete, the EU’s commissioner for climate and energy, points out that Europe currently offers only six EV models compared with 400 in China.

But German Minister Sigmar Gabriel urges the EU to review the industry’s progress in 2025 before setting future standards. Reuters cites a letter Gabriel sent to EC President Jean-Claude Juncker in which Gabriel warns that setting quotas for electric car sales greater than 20% by 2025 would be “dangerous.”

EC Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks says Gabriel’s proposal runs counter to the government’s policy position, which calls for a “courageous entry into electric mobility”—including EV sales quotas.