European Union leaders will discuss emission limits for trucks on December 20. But Germany is already putting the brakes on more ambitious CO2 limits.
With an auto industry that is a major driver of its economy, Germany says the new limits should not go beyond the European Commission’s proposal. This is according to a position paper recently released by Berlin.
As reported by the Reuters news agency, Germany does not want carbon dioxide cuts should not go beyond 15 percent by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030.
However, the Netherlands, the EU’s second-biggest manufacturer of heavy-duty vehicles, wants a higher reduction in greenhouse gases from trucks to combat global warming.
A Dutch position paper, seen by Reuters, calls for a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions from trucks by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030.
France will also push for more ambitious targets than what was proposed by the European Commission in May, though has not yet settled on concrete limits, an EU official said.
The EU currently has no limits on the CO2 produced by trucks.
According to Reuters, the European Parliament has backed a CO2 reduction target of 20% by 2025 and 35% by 2030, despite warnings from the truck industry that the higher reductions could cost jobs and cut growth.
If EU governments reach an agreement this month, negotiations between the EU Parliament, Commission and Council would start early next year.
