Monday, April 5th, 2021
Use for the auto industry
Scheuer warns the EU against too strict guidelines
According to his own admission, climate protection is important for Transport Minister Scheuer. But measures to curb global warming as far as possible should not be at the expense of the auto industry. The CSU politician addresses a corresponding plea to the EU Commission.
Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer has warned the EU Commission against excessively harsh regulations for the auto industry. “One should be courageous in the specifications, but keep an eye on the principle of what is technically possible. We must not lose the automotive industry in Europe, because otherwise it will settle elsewhere,” said the CSU politician. On the one hand, the debate is about tightening carbon dioxide limit values for more climate protection. Proposals from Brussels are expected in June. On the other hand, the EU Commission wants to present a new Euro 7 emissions standard with stricter requirements for nitrogen oxides and other pollutants.
“I can only call on the EU Commission to maintain people’s enthusiasm for mobility by focusing on innovation,” said Scheuer. He wanted the auto industry to have a future. “But that can only succeed with innovation. Formulating just one goal does not result in a good climate or good air. We have to be modern and innovative, even with strict guidelines that must be affordable and feasible. Then we do it Right one.”
The Association of the Automotive Industry had already warned of a de facto end for cars with internal combustion engines from 2025 with a view to a stricter emissions standard. Many small and medium-sized suppliers in particular are still attached to the combustion engine. It is true that new registrations of electric cars in Germany have risen sharply thanks to higher government purchase premiums. But petrol and diesel still dominate the streets. The automotive industry is pushing for more speed to expand the charging infrastructure for e-cars.
The European auto industry had recently shown itself openly in favor of tightening carbon dioxide limit values - but this must be coupled with binding expansion targets of the EU countries for electric charging stations and hydrogen filling stations, as the industry association Acea had explained.
“We can’t give up on climate protection, but …”
In Germany, the transport sector still achieved its climate target in 2020. But that was also due to the fact that there were significantly fewer trips by car or plane due to the pandemic. Scheuer said the climate goals were not only achieved through the consequences of the pandemic. “Our measures from the climate protection program also contributed to this.” Scheuer referred to funding programs to expand the charging infrastructure and improve the air quality in cities.
“We must not give up on climate protection – but not with bans and restrictions, but with promoting innovation and being open to technology,” said the minister. He spoke out in favor of increasing the use of synthetic fuels in cars with internal combustion engines in order to facilitate the transition. “The automotive sector is in a process of transformation and we supply the world with our products. It is our job to remain the export and logistics world champion.”
The increased use of e-fuels is highly controversial. These are synthetic fuels that are produced using electricity from water and carbon dioxide. Environmental groups, for example, argue that their production is inefficient and very expensive.
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