Truck makers ignore emission problem while celebrating strong growth at commercial vehicle show IAA - NGO

German and European truck makers like to forget their climate problem while celebrating strong industry growth at the commercial vehicle show in Hanover (IAA), according to environmental NGO Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (Nabu). “Behind closed doors, the truck makers do everything to prevent ambitious emission rules in Brussels, and to extent the use of diesel engines,” said the organisation’s head Leif Miller. He added companies which do not offer climate-friendly propulsion technologies put the future of the commercial vehicle industry in Germany and Europe in danger. 
At a press conference on the opening of the IAA, German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) head Bernhard Mattes called the European Commission proposal to set CO₂ emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles – minus 30 percent by 2030 and minus 15 percent by 2025, compared to 2019 – “not realistic”. “Extreme reduction goals” which had to be reached in “very little time” could easily overburden the freight industry, said Mattes.

Find the press release in German here and the VDA head speech in German here.

Find plenty of background in the factsheet Road freight emissions in Germany and the dossier How Germany is greening its growing freight sector to meet climate targets.