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How low can you go? Volkswagen throws down the emissions gauntlet
(Reuters, 6 May 2021) Car maker is quietly letting EU policymakers know that it would support more ambitious cuts in emissions in an effort to stay ahead of the pack.
Volkswagen has softened its stance on tough new European carbon dioxide emissions targets for automakers, betting it can absorb more stringent cuts than its rivals, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The EU last month raised its target for cuts in net greenhouse gas emissions to 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels instead of 40% and Europe's automakers will find out in July what their contribution on CO2 emissions is expected to be.
Three sources told Reuters that Volkswagen, which owns car brands including Porsche, Audi, VW, Seat and Skoda, is quietly letting policymakers in Brussels know that it would support more ambitious cuts in emissions than other car manufacturers.
While the sources did not say what specific targets Volkswagen would be comfortable with, the move by Europe's biggest carmaker is both undermining and upsetting smaller rivals that want Brussels to give them more leeway.
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Reuters, 6 May 2021: How low can you go? Volkswagen throws down the emissions gauntlet
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