Germany’s transport minister, Wolfgang Tiefensee, is preparing to unveil a package of environmental measures for cars.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
According to newspaper Welt am Sonntag, the measures will make it easier for new car buyers to understand car CO2 emissions quantities. Tiefensee said that a labeling system similar to that used to display the energy consumption of fridges and washing machines sold in the EU is needed.
In the same article Tiefensee criticised the automotive industry for not making it easier for customers to be both environmentally aware and mobile. He said “I can’t see that the vehicle manufacturers have been able to fully understand the meaning of this change of mentality that is taking place.”
He added that the German automotive industry has the potential to invest in new technology and advance developments in the efficiency and performance of engines, as well as driver and passenger comfort. However it should be doing more for the environment.
Tiefensee is preparing a legislative framework for the introduction of new car taxes that are linked to CO2 emissions. The report says that that will include an average limit for CO2 emissions from new cars.
High speeds also contribute to increased CO2 emissions, but the transport ministry told the dpa/AFX news agency that there are no plans for a general speed limit on motorways (autobahn). There are speed limits on most roads in Germany, including around half the motorway network. The ministry said motorways are amongst the safest roads on which to to travel and that most fatal accidents occur on country roads and in urban centres where there are speed limits.
