Tough EU car emission rules ‘necessary’, says leader of key German state

(EurActiv, 11 Jan 2022) The European Union’s proposed package of energy and climate laws received surprise backing from the leader of Baden-Württemberg, an influential German state which is renowned worldwide for its cutting-edge automotive industry.

“The automotive industry will have to make a huge effort” in order to achieve the EU’s proposed zero emission target for new cars that is expected to come into effect as of 2035, said Winfried Kretschmann, the minister-president of Baden-Württemberg.

While the European Commission’s proposal to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2035 is embraced by carmakers like Volkswagen and Daimler, it was met with scepticism from German industry associations.

However, those efforts will be “necessary”, Kretschmann added during an exchange in the German Bundesrat last month, saying: “It is our common task to make the necessary climate policy and to support our companies to the best of our ability.”

The Bundesrat is the organ which convenes the leaders of Germany’s 16 federal states. The transcript of the exchange was released on 27 December, weeks after the meeting was held.

Germany’s federal states play a crucial role in upcoming negotiations over Europe’s climate and energy laws and the support from Baden-Württemberg is significant in that context.

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EurActiv, 11 Jan 2022: Tough EU car emission rules ‘necessary’, says leader of key German state