Merz warns: Strict CO2 rules endanger our auto industry!

Merz warns: Strict CO2 rules endanger our auto industry!

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has spoken out clearly against the EU Commission's strict CO2 rules for company cars. After meeting Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Berlin, Merz expressed concerns about the impact of such proposals on the European automotive industry, which he sees as one of the continent's core industries. He stressed that technological limitations should not jeopardize the future of this industry. “Consumers have to make decisions, not the state or the EU,” said Merz, criticizing the Commission’s planned regulations.

The controversy relates to media reports that the EU Commission plans to introduce a ban on internal combustion vehicles for company and rental cars from 2030. While a Commission spokesman made it clear that no final decisions had yet been made on possible climate proposals for company cars, the Commission announced that it would present a legislative proposal to reduce emissions by the end of the year, which would take various technologies into account. According to “Bild am Sonntag”, this could affect 60 percent of the new car business, increasing concerns about the economic consequences.

Economic concerns and criticism

The criticism of a possible requirement for electric cars for company fleets comes not only from Merz, but also from the Association of the Automotive Industry and the Federal Ministry of Transport. These warn of significant negative effects on jobs and the competitiveness of the industry. Jens Gieseke, an MEP, described the ban as a “massive intervention in the market”. The Federal Ministry of Transport has also informed car rental companies that it rejects the ban.

Rental car providers such as Sixt are also skeptical. Sixt describes the ban as impractical and warns of possible higher rental costs that could result from the inadequate charging infrastructure in the EU. According to current estimates, road transport causes around a fifth of CO2 emissions in Europe, underlining the urgency of action to reduce emissions. But the implementation of such measures is still under discussion.

EU goals and outlook

The EU is pursuing the ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 and becoming climate neutral by 2050. In this context, the planned regulation for company cars is seen as part of a broader strategy to combat climate change. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen what specific proposals the EU Commission will present in late summer and how the industry and the stakeholders affected will react to them.