The seven members of the European Union called on Thursday to postpone the planned limit of emissions for car manufacturers, explaining that it will stifle European competitiveness.
According to European rules, car manufacturers face fines if they exceed the limits of CO2 emissions, which are supposed to become cars in 2025.
“Such penalties would greatly limit the industry’s ability to reinvest in inventions and development and would harm European competitiveness on a global scale,” the document presented at the ministerial meeting in Brussels states.
The document was supported by Italy, Poland, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia.
Those countries called for the introduction of a more pragmatic time frame.
German representatives reacted to the proposal with skepticism. When asked why Germany did not sign the document, Minister Bernhard Kluttig said that it is important for the automotive industry to reach its goals.
Manfred Weber, president of the European People’s Party in the European Parliament, told the Fokus newspaper in the meantime: “When it comes to jobs, as is the case now, the state cannot demand go from corporations to pay a lot”.