BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The European car lobby is calling for a significant change to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's climate flagship project. "The European Green Deal must be subjected to a reality check and a realignment," said Ola Källenius, the new president of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) and CEO of Mercedes-Benz. Källenius did not elaborate.
The legislative package must become more flexible so that the automotive industry can become more climate-friendly, he added. Källenius made it clear that the EU automotive industry remains committed to the EU climate targets. The Green Deal legislative package is linked to the plan for the EU to become climate-neutral by 2050.
Just eleven days after taking office in 2019, von der Leyen had announced the Green Deal. The German compared the efforts required with the US program for the moon landing in the 1960s and spoke of a "man-on-the-moon moment" for Europe.
Auto industry critical of climate penalties
Kallenius expressed criticism at the official start of his presidency in Brussels of possible EU climate penalties for carmakers and called for adjustments. "We need the European Commission to provide a clear vision of the CO2 targets for cars and vans in 2025 and subsequent years," said the company boss.
Under current EU law, carmakers face heavy fines starting this year due to stricter limits – known as fleet limits. The already beleaguered manufacturers will have to pay billions in penalties for emitting too much CO2. The climate penalties are looming mainly because fewer electric cars are being produced and sold than anticipated. In this context, the automotive industry has been pushing for some time for the charging infrastructure in the EU to be drastically expanded in order to make e-mobility more attractive.
Källenius did not make any specific demands for the adjustment of climate penalties. Speaking to journalists, he said that although there are a number of ideas, the aim is to conduct an announced dialogue in an open, constructive and positive manner. Von der Leyen had announced that she would start a dialogue on the future of the automotive industry with carmakers, trade unions and industry associations before the end of this month./mjm/DP/mis