Volvo attacks EU over emissions targets

Car manufacturer Volvo has accused the European Commission of threatening jobs, investment and competitiveness in the European car industry through its approach towards emissions targets and vehicle electrification. Volvo raised […]

Car manufacturer Volvo has accused the European Commission of threatening jobs, investment and competitiveness in the European car industry through its approach towards emissions targets and vehicle electrification.

Volvo raised concerns over the European Commission’s White Paper on Transport, which states that greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector should be cut by at least 60% by 2050 to achieve climate change goals. The paper also calls for the use of conventionally fuelled cars in cities to be halved by 2030 and then completely phased out by 2050.

Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation said the EU’s goals wouldn’t be possible if proper support for research wasn’t given: “The European automotive industry risks losing the present technological leadership if this doesn’t happen… In the long-term, this jeopardises our industry’s competitiveness and European jobs.”

The Swedish firm says that despite receiving interest for their V60 Plug-in hybrid it has struggled to push the price for a model below 50,000 Euro (£41,790).

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