7 EU countries request a postponement of emission limits in the auto industry

Seven European Union members have called for a planned emissions cap for carmakers to be delayed, saying it will stifle European competitiveness. Under European rules, automakers face fines if they exceed CO2 emissions limits that are due to become stricter in 2025.

The seven countries in question, Italy, Poland, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia, presented a document at a ministerial meeting in Brussels calling for the introduction of a more pragmatic time frame for emissions reductions.

"Such penalties would greatly limit the industry's ability to reinvest in inventions and development and would harm Europe's competitiveness globally," the document notes.

For its part Germany, which is currently facing serious deindustrialization, reacted to the proposal with skepticism. When asked why Germany did not sign the document the State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, Bernhard Kluttig, said it was important for the automotive industry to achieve the stated goals.

Meanwhile, Manfred Weber, the president of the European People's Party, the largest bloc in the European Parliament, told the Fokus magazine: "When jobs are at stake, as is the case now, the state cannot ask corporations to pay a lot."

Source: HRT