VDA: Review EU climate targets earlier - Charging infrastructure actually available

The European Commission needs to review more quickly whether EU climate targets for newly registered cars are feasible, according to the German automotive industry. A review planned for 2026 needs to be brought forward to next year, demands the lobby group VDA. Climate protection in transportation can only succeed if, for example, the necessary charging infrastructure is in place, said the VDA.

The background is that manufacturers are likely to be unable to meet the targets in many cases. Therefore, hefty fines are looming for the already ailing European automotive industry. Specifically, this refers to the so-called fleet limits, which set a threshold for the CO2 emissions of cars that must not be exceeded on average by all vehicles registered in the EU in a given year.

EU goals are not expected to be met

Currently, this limit is set at 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer per vehicle. It is supposed to drop to 93.6 grams by 2025 and to 49.5 grams by 2030. Manufacturers who exceed the CO2 emissions limits must pay penalties. The inability to meet these EU climate targets is partly due to the fact that demand for electric mobility in Europe is currently falling short of expectations.

The problems of the automotive industry are currently evident at VW - Europe's largest automaker. In early September, Volkswagen announced that it would tighten its savings plans due to the tense situation, and no longer ruled out layoffs and factory closures. The job security agreement, in effect since 1994, has been terminated. VW Supervisory Board Chairman Hans Dieter Pötsch recently called for a relaxation of CO2 fleet targets.

"Politics has set the industry guidelines without the necessary infrastructure being in place and without considering whether customers would go along with it," criticized Pötsch.

It is now known that the demand for electric cars in Europe falls far short of expectations, said Pötsch, who is also the CEO of Porsche Automobil Holding, according to a speech manuscript at the "Vienna Electric Days."

"Electromobility will prevail, but it will take more time. Therefore, the CO2 targets for 2025, 2030, and 2035 must be adjusted and aligned with reality."

For e-mobility to succeed, more public support is needed. Instead, people are being unsettled by debates over electric and combustion engines. "We need clarity and reliability in Europe." Due to the sluggish ramp-up of e-mobility, several manufacturers have already called for the targets to be eased or at least extended in time. BMW CEO Oliver Zipse had already called for a change in the spring, and VW CEO Oliver Blume is also demanding "reasonable CO2 targets." With regard to the stricter CO2 fleet target for 2025, Blume admitted in early August: "There is still a gap to close." He definitely wants to avoid penalty payments that are due if the target is missed. "Every euro paid in fines is a poorly invested euro."