Tesla should help

Car manufacturers want to calculate CO2 emissions

Traditional car manufacturers are finding it difficult to comply with the CO2 limits for new cars in the European Union. Now they want to add up their own CO2 emissions with those of Tesla & Co - and are in the clear.

This is according to an EU document on the regulations that will apply from 2025, which was made available to the Reuters news agency on Tuesday. Stellantis, Toyota, Ford, Mazda and Subaru want to have the carbon dioxide emissions of their fleets calculated together with officially emission-free e-cars from the US manufacturer Tesla,

Mercedes-Benz wants to form a pool with its now all-electric subsidiary Smart. Other partners are to be Volvo and Polestar.

As a contribution to climate protection, CO2 emissions from new cars in the EU must fall to an average of just under 94 grams per kilometer this year from 116 grams in 2024. As sales of electric cars are weak, car manufacturers, who are still largely dependent on combustion engines, are struggling to meet the targets. However, fines will be imposed if CO2 emissions are too high.

A Stellantis spokesperson explained that participation in a pool with Tesla would help to achieve the reduction targets. The other manufacturers could not immediately be reached for comment.