In light of the recent developments in EV technology, as well as the dangerous levels of pollution, Chairman of the Management Board at Mercedes-Benz, Dieter Zetsche has asked the European Commission to create emissions regulations that would cover the entire EU.
Carmakers currently have by 2021 to reach a target of 95g/km, in terms of fleet emissions, for all new cars. Failure to do so will result in fines and, possibly, additional taxes. Zetsche has, however, expressed concern with regard to the fact that there should also be emissions regulations prior to 2021, in order to keep enable countries to develop a unified framework.
This initiative has come at a time when most European states have started promoting the idea of replacing diesel powered cars with electric ones.
Electric vehicles would have to be just as practical as fossil fueled vehicles, in order to reach a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions between 2021 and 2030. In order to do this, all European states would have to follow the same regulations. This will enable more individuals to buy electric cars, knowing that they will have to follow the same laws regardless of the country they drive them in.
Furthermore, drafting these regulations will motivate car manufacturers to simultaneously begin setting up charging station networks in every country.
Only 1.2% of the total new car sales has been comprised of electric vehicles. This percentage must grow in order to reduce pollution, however, it is strongly affected by the practicality of owning an EV in various countries. If more states begin redesigning their energy networks in order to enable carmakers to set up charging stations, then more individuals will buy all-electric cars.
Zetsche also stated that in order to reach the pollution reduction goals, the latest generation of low-emission diesel engines should be promoted as a transition step towards EVs.
