During multiple historic fuel crises and a climate crisis that left tens of thousands dead across Europe this summer, the bloc is reportedly close to striking a deal to allow its automakers to produce more of the vehicles that directly caused each of those problems.
In doing so, it would only ensure that its automakers are unprepared to compete against the country that actually is providing solutions to those problems: China.
the country that actually is providing solutions to those problems: China
China heavily depends on fossil fuels to ‘provide solutions to those problems.’ If we rely on China, it gets worse. China is the world’s top emitter of CO2. A third of global emissions is produced in China (second is the US with 12%, India below 8%, while the EU ranks fourth with 6.5%).
Since 2000, emissions in China have increased by +260%. In the EU emissions the decreased by -30%.
China’s own five-year plan provides evidence that consumption of fossil fuels in thecountry will rise by 2030.
I’m dissatisfied with a lot of European politics, but framing China as a solution is complete fantasy. China is worse by any comparable standards. Environmental and social norms exist at best on paper while the ruling Chinese Communis Party’s one and only goal is its self-preservation at all human and ecological costs.
AfD voters apparently want Chinese cars, and then become pissed off about job losses in their country…
Germany will forever shrink again under AfD fascism.
Macron and Carney may have to rule over the Saar Protectorate with an iron fist, can’t let those fascists commit crime.
Here’s an idea: make ICE cars more expensive and use it to fund local electric car sales to compete against BYD.
Hmm now that sounds like evil market regulations! /j
So France and Germany are relaxing the commitment from 90% to 80% emissions by 2035 due to influence from automakers, that’s not great at all.
The article also mentions that this is during a time where oil is being affected by the wars going on right now (they highlight the Russian invasion of Ukraine), making this all the more silly. It ends with how easing the commitments that European automakers need to make will make Chinese EV dominance continue to skyrocket, even despite tariffs.
I’m all for more EVs (European or otherwise), but I’d personally rather see European automakers being pushed to meet the commitments towards reducing emissions. More competition is always better, and having one country to depend on for EVs is not great.
I couldn’t get past the first sentence before I drowned in hyperbole.
