Too many SUVs, missed CO2 targets – now the car importers face severe penalties
Because Swiss people like heavy cars, CO2 targets were missed. That costs the importers a lot – and soon more.
Swiss people like to drive off-road vehicles. The proportion of SUVs and all-wheel drive vehicles on Swiss roads has risen steadily in recent years. This means that drivers are putting a spanner in the works for the federal government when it comes to the CO2 targets.
The reduction in CO2 emissions from newly registered vehicles, which has been the aim since 2012, has not been achieved to the extent hoped. This is shown in a detailed report published by the Federal Office of Energy. It examines the effects of the regulations introduced in 2012. The goal was to reduce CO2 emissions to 130 grams per kilometer. This number has been adapted to each importer; depending on the empty weight of the vehicles.
The regulations – which also apply in the large EU market – have had an overall effect. Emissions have decreased since 2012. But the concrete goals were not achieved.
Emissions have been rising again since 2017. In 2018, CO2 emissions were 137.8 grams per newly registered vehicle. The reason for the increase is – in addition to the Swiss preference for all-wheel drive and off-road vehicles – also a new measurement method and the decline in diesel sales.
Importers sometimes have to pay high fines
The missed goals have consequences for various importers: they have to pay fines because their vehicle fleet emits more CO2 than expected. In 2018, this was around CHF 31 million.
While some importers such as BMW or Volvo were below the requirements, Mercedes had to pay CHF 10 million in sanctions, for example. The importer of Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep and Alfa Romeo even paid CHF 11 million in fines. “It is conceivable that the higher profits from high-emission vehicles have exceeded the effects of the sanctions,” writes the federal government.
Since this year, the screw for car manufacturers has been tightened again, although the specifications have not yet been reached. Since the beginning of 2020, on average only 95 grams of CO2 have been emitted per kilometer.
“The requirements are unrealistic”
For Andreas Burgener, the director of Auto Switzerland, one thing is clear: the requirements are «unrealistic». This brand could not be created before 2025; especially not with the internal combustion engine. “Sanction payments are likely to increase drastically,” says Burgener. “In the end, the customer pays for it.”
So far, the Swiss have been willing to pay this additional price: New car sales have increased in recent years. According to the federal government, the regulations and sanction payments had no negative impact on the growth of the automotive industry. The cost of the sanctions will soon be decided in concrete terms: at the beginning of March, the CO2 law will be dealt with by the National Council. It specifies which transitional rules apply to car importers.
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