In the global combat against environmental pollution and consequent global warming, car manufacturers have been targeted as the one of the prime villains. Despite strict emission norms, cars continue to contribute a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The luxury heavier cars emit greater volume of greenhouse gas than their smaller and lighter counterparts do.
The European Union in its endeavor to curtail greenhouse gas has proposed tough legislation that would impose heavy fines on car manufacturers that fail to comply with the emission norms. A four-year phase-in period from 2012 has been set, whereupon manufacturers whose models emit more than 120 grams per km of harmful emission will face fines. The step intended to be taken by the EU has been welcomed by environmentalists but the car manufacturers’ lobby is definitely unhappy with the decision. Luxury car manufacturers that include the big names like Porsche, BMW and Mercedes-Benz will find themselves in trouble if they soon do not invest in clean technology to reduce carbon-dioxide emission.
The tussle between EU and the car manufacturers has assumed a political dimension. Germany, which is home to the world’s luxury car manufacturers, sees this move as a threat to its economy with the automobile industry facing a steep downslide in production. However, the small car manufacturers might benefit. To save our environment, it’s important to invest less in luxury cars.
Image:Eurocar Addicts
Source: Reuters