German Auto Industry Calls for Ambitious Renewable Fuel Targets to Drive Climate Action
Key Ideas
  • The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) advocates for more ambitious national targets to boost the use of renewable fuels alongside electric vehicles for climate action.
  • VDA emphasizes the importance of renewable fuels in achieving climate neutrality for existing combustion engine vehicles and promoting zero-emission vehicles like fuel cell trucks.
  • In addition to electric vehicles, the VDA calls for the introduction of biofuels and e-fuels to make Germany's vehicle fleet more climate-friendly, aiming to phase out petrol and diesel by 2045.
  • The industry also seeks measures like a sub-quota for hydrogen and synthetic fuels, a long-term reduction target path, and an upwardly dynamic greenhouse gas quota to incentivize investments in renewable energy sources.
The German automotive industry, represented by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), is pushing for more ambitious national targets to enhance the utilization of renewable fuels in conjunction with electric vehicles to combat climate change effectively. The VDA criticizes the current requirements in the EU's Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) as insufficient and stresses the potential of renewable fuels in operating existing combustion engine vehicles in a climate-neutral manner. They also highlight the role of zero-emission vehicles, such as fuel cell trucks, in the market. The VDA argues that solely promoting electric vehicles will not be adequate, considering the significant number of combustion engine cars and trucks projected to remain on German roads even if the government's electric car target is achieved. One of the key demands is the introduction of a sub-quota for hydrogen and synthetic fuels, aiming for at least 5% market share by 2030. This move is crucial to complement electric cars with biofuels and e-fuels, making the existing vehicle fleet more environmentally friendly. The VDA's vision includes phasing out petrol and diesel by 2045, signaling a shift towards cleaner energy sources. Moreover, the industry calls for supporting measures like a defined reduction target path with interim goals for 2035 and 2040, emphasizing the need for an energy tax reform. Additionally, the VDA proposes an upwardly dynamic greenhouse gas quota to maintain investment incentives in renewable energy sources. These collective efforts are part of a broader strategy to drive sustainable practices in the automotive sector and align with global climate goals.
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