The German government is moving on a last-ditch plan to reduce the impact of the EU’s proposed vehicle CO2 emissions limits. The agreed limit of a fleet average of 95g/km (equivalent to 4 litres per 100km fuel consumption) is due to come into force in 2020, but Berlin now wants the limit to apply at first to only 80 per cent of cars, with the remaining 20 per cent being worked in over four years.
The plan has received the surprise backing this week of the two major French car-makers, PSA Peugeot-Citroën and Renault. The move comes as a surprise as the French government has indicated its opposition to the German plan, and it is generally’ accepted that the CO2 limits will hurt the premium German car-makers worse than anyone else.
Environmental group Transport & Environment has said that the German move would increase an average car buyer’s fuel bill by €138. Greg Archer, clean vehicles manager of Transport & Environment, said: “On the day that the IPCC says that man-made climate change is unequivocal, Germany plays hardball to give its luxury car-makers four more years to sell even more gas-guzzlers. We need ambitious fuel efficiency standards that save drivers money, boost the economy and reduce climate-changing emissions. EU countries must stand up to Germany and vote for more efficient cars.”