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Merkel Wants Delay in CO2 Target

German Chancellor Angela Merkel urges the EU not to hamper the region's auto industry with carbon dioxide standards that "impose greater burdens than other continents do with their own industry."
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel urges the EU not to hamper the region's auto industry with carbon dioxide standards that "impose greater burdens than other continents do with their own industry."

Merkel, who is running for reelection next weekend, already has blocked the EU's plan to limit CO2 emissions to 95 g/km by 2020. Last year Europe's new-vehicle fleet averaged more than 132 g/km.

Merkel argues that trying to meet the proposed target would hamper economic growth. But a report last week by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research says delaying the standard will only multiply the cost of meeting it later.

A separate analysis last week from the European Federation for Transport and Environment concludes that most European carmakers are on track to meet the 95 g/km standard by the end of the decade. Reuters says the opinion of EU envoys is split over whether Germany wants to overturn the mandate or merely stall action until after the elections.

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