BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer says the European Union’s strict vehicle emissions standards are “impossible to meet,” Drive.com reports.
The EU plan would cut CO2 emission outputs to 95g/km by 2020, followed by a further 25 percent reduction by 2025.
These targets can’t be met without huge investments — requiring government support — in expensive alternative drivetrain technology, Reithofer told the Australian website. The BMW chairman also called the EU plan “politically motivated and published without conducting any kind of feasibility study” and said Europe, when compared to China and the US, undercredits alternative drivetrains in its efforts to meet fuel emissions standards.
The German automaker says it has invested heavily in its low- and zero-emissions i sub brand, which includes the all-electric i3 coupe (pictured) and the i8 hybrid sportscar. BMW unveiled the i8 roadster open-top electric-hybrid sportscar at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year. The concept vehicle boasts acceleration of 0 to 62 mph in under five seconds combined with fuel consumption in the European cycle of 2.7 liters per 100 kilometers. A similar i8 goes on sale in late 2014.
BMW endorsed the EPA’s proposed Tier 3 pollution standards, announced in late March, which would require refiners to reduce gasoline sulfur levels by more than 60 percent — down to 10 parts per million in 2017 from the current standard of 30 ppm.
The Auto Alliance, a group of 12 manufacturers including Ford, General Motors and BMW, has said cutting sulfur in gasoline will improve fuel efficiency and help further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a statement, the alliance says it hopes to see a final rule that will harmonize federal standards with California’s low-emissions vehicle program, finalized last year. This would allow carmakers to sell the same vehicles across the US.
