EU intends to strengthen the CO2 emissions standards for vehicle fleets
The Minister for Economic Affairs, Labor, and Tourism, Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, has expressed concerns about the EU Commission's plan to adjust emission standards for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). In a recent statement, the Minister emphasized the need to avoid cost increases for consumers due to further technical reductions in CO emissions.
The Minister believes that tightening PHEV regulations would send the wrong signal, hinder innovation, and drive manufacturers out of an important transition technology. According to the Minister, there are no announced decisions by automotive manufacturers about discontinuing their PHEV programs up to September 2025. On the contrary, companies like Kia and Mitsubishi continue to develop and market PHEV models, and Mercedes-Benz is launching new hybrid and electric models around this time.
The Minister argues that there should be no pre-determination of individual drive technologies and that PHEVs can make a relevant contribution to CO reduction. The Minister stated that the current EU evaluations of PHEVs are based on partly outdated and non-representative usage data. The Minister further suggests that tightening should be suspended until the evaluation is complete to prevent significant additional costs that could endanger the acceptance of climate-friendly vehicles.
Moreover, the Minister calls for technology openness, planning security, and affordable solutions to achieve climate goals and ensure the international competitiveness of the European automotive industry. The Minister believes that regulatory devaluation of PHEV vehicles takes away important options from manufacturers and customers. The Minister's stance aims to promote a balanced approach to climate change mitigation, fostering innovation and maintaining consumer affordability.
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