acf domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/ecg/ecgassociationdev/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121Automotive News Europe — 2024-08-22
Automotive Industry
VDA says Germany needs to go beyond the EU's guidance on fuels if it wants to achieve its 2045 goal of climate-neutral road traffic.
Germany needs to go beyond the European Union's guidance on fuels if it wants to achieve its 2045 goal of climate-neutral road traffic, auto association VDA said.
The European Union's Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), adopted late last year, is not ambitious enough, the VDA said in a statement on 21 August 2024.
"Politicians are called upon to establish incentives for the ramp-up of renewable energy sources and thus to guarantee and promote investment," VDA President Hildegard Mueller said.
Germany's automotive industry wants to ensure that CO2-neutral fuels such as biofuels and e-fuels come onto the market in sufficient quantities to power the 40 m combustion-engine vehicles that will still be on the streets even if the government hits its target of 15 m electric cars by 2030.
The VDA is concerned that the 2030 targets do not create enough incentive for the mineral oil industry to invest in the production of climate-friendly fuels.
The EU target is for an at least 29% share of renewable energy by 2030 or a 14.5% reduction in greenhouse gases compared with emissions that would have been created by fossil fuel use.
Germany, Europe's largest economy, has already decided to aim for a higher reduction rate of 25%, but the VDA believes 35% is necessary instead.
The EU regulation also stipulates a quota for biofuels and synthetic fuels of 5.5%, with a 1% minimum synthetic fuel share.
For the latter, the VDA calls for at least 5%.
Further interim targets should also be set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2035, 90% by 2040 and 100% by 2045, the VDA said.
"In the interests of climate protection, fossil fuels should no longer be allowed to be sold at German fuel stations from 2045," added the association.