European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (picture alliance/dpa/AP/Virginia Mayo)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed granting car manufacturers more time to comply with stricter climate targets, as the sector struggles with disappointing electric vehicle sales and competition from outside the bloc.
"There's a clear demand for more flexibility on CO2 (carbon dioxide) targets," von der Leyen told journalists after a meeting with representatives of the European automotive industry in Brussels.
Under the proposed plan, companies are to be given three years to comply with the targets, instead of annual compliance demands, while the overall emission targets are to stay unchanged, she said.
Carmakers "have to fulfil the targets, but it means more breathing space for industry," von der Leyen said.
The Commission President plans to table an amendment to the current rules this month to EU capitals and the European Parliament for approval.
Since the start of the year, manufacturers have to meet stricter limits for the average CO2 emissions of their entire vehicle fleet.
Several car manufacturers are at risk of exceeding the targets as the sales of battery-powered vehicles in the EU have not increased as projected.
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