2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
Economical cars are becoming more and more important for manufacturers. Especially when there is a penalty tax for exceeding the CO2 limit value.
The penalty tax on CO2 emissions is coming. The automobile manufacturers have to be prepared for the fact that the sale of fuel guzzlers could be expensive in the future. Fuel-saving models are therefore becoming more and more important for industry.
Threats of hefty fines
At least the large German volume manufacturers are already well positioned and offer numerous cars below the magical emission limit of 120 grams per kilometer. From 2015, there will be hefty fines for all cars sold above this limit. The manufacturers would have to pass these on to the customers. So that this is not necessary, more fuel savers have to be sold than today. Because these reduce the manufacturer's average fleet emissions, which is the basis for calculating the amount of the fine.
Naturally, the eco models are mainly small and compact cars; From the middle class upwards, the range is extremely thin. The largest selection of CO2 dwarfs under 120 grams is currently offered by Ford with eleven models, including ten diesel and one gasoline engine from the Ka, Fiesta, Fusion, Focus and C-Max series. With the Fiesta Econetic, Ford even has a model on the market that undercuts the symbolic CO2 mark of 100 grams and emits just 98 grams per kilometer.
After all, VW and Opel can throw three models into the balance: the diesel versions of the Polo and Corsa emit less than 120 grams of CO2, the Agila small car also achieves this value as a gasoline engine. In addition, VW has trimmed the Golf 2.0 TDI to the low emissions of 119 grams. Premium vehicles will not have to be dispensed with in the future either. Both the Audi A3 1.9 TDI sedan and Sportback and the BMW 118d emit less than 120 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer.
The middle class is also getting cleaner
Middle-class models with good emission values are currently rare in Germany. Only the Volvo S40 and its station wagon version V50 remain below the limit with the entry-level diesel. But that is likely to change in the future. VW has announced an economy version of the Passat that will produce an output of just 109 grams.
With the Octavia Greenline, Skoda has a similarly economical car in the pipeline. And really big cars are also getting cleaner, even if the 120 gram limit is still a long way off. But the fact that a luxury sedan like the Mercedes-Benz S 400 Hybrid only emits 187 grams gives hope. (mid)
