Škoda Auto welcomes EU changes to CO2 emission standards

Škoda Auto welcomes Thursday's decision by MEPs, which will provide car manufacturers with more time to meet emission targets. It will provide them with flexibility to achieve their goals, and with legal and planning certainty, the company’s spokeswoman Michaela Sklenářová told ČTK on Saturday. Car manufacturers should now report compliance with emission targets for a three-year period, not for each year. According to the European Commission, they will thus avoid paying fines for failure to meet the standards this year.

On Wednesday, representatives of EU member states agreed on the change to CO2 emission standards. The European Commission's proposal was supported by 458 MEPs out of 573 present, with 101 against. 14 MEPs abstained. All 20 Czech MEPs present supported the proposal. The aim of the proposed change is to support the European automotive industry, which is undergoing rapid technological change and facing increasing competition. Now the regulation must be formally approved by the EU Council at one of its upcoming meetings, after which the standard will come into force.