Germany's automotive industry demands stricter climate targets from fuel suppliers

The VDA, the German auto association, said that Germany must go beyond EU fuel guidelines if it is to reach its goal of a climate-neutral transport by 2045.

VDA stated in a press release that the EU's Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III), which was adopted late last season, isn't ambitious enough.

Hildegard Müller, VDA president, said that politicians should create incentives to encourage the use of renewable energies and to ensure and promote investment.

The German automotive industry wants to make sure that CO2-neutral fuels, such as biofuels or e-fuels, are available in sufficient quantities on the market to power 40 million combustion engine vehicles. These cars will be still be driving around even if 15 million electric vehicles reach the target set by the government.

The VDA is concerned about the lack of incentive provided by the 2030 targets for the mineral oil sector to invest in climate-friendly fuels.

The EU targets a minimum 29% share in renewable energy by 2030, or a reduction of 14.5% in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the emissions created by the use of fossil fuels.

Germany, Europe's biggest economy, has already set a target of a 25% reduction, but VDA thinks 35% would be more appropriate.

The EU regulation stipulates that biofuels, and synthetic fuels must be included in a minimum of 1%.

The VDA recommends a minimum of 5% for the latter.

VDA: "VDA recommends that interim targets be set for greenhouse gas reduction by 60% by 2035 and 90% by 2040, with 100% by 2045." The association added that "in the interest of climate protection fossil fuels shouldn't be sold in German petrol stations after 2045."

(source: Reuters)