Volkswagen expects it to be easier to meet the European CO2 standard in 2021, CEO Herbert Diess reports. This is mainly because Volkswagen wants to double the number of EVs delivered next year. In particular, the ID4 and Skoda Enyaq play a major role in this.
Next year, the European Union will tighten the CO2 thumbscrews a little more firmly. This year there is an exception per brand for the 5 percent of models that emit the most, but that will soon be off the track. The compensation that is obtained by putting emission-free cars on the market, the so-called ‘super credits’, is also going down. Despite the fact that it is becoming more difficult to meet the CO2 standard, Volkswagen expects to be able to achieve the target relatively easily. CEO Herbert Diess said in a call with, among other things Autonews that he expects that Volkswagen will benefit from the higher production figures of EVs next year. The ID4 and the Skoda Enyaq, among others, will therefore have to contribute to this, but Audi and Seat will also launch new EVs on the market next year.
This year, Volkswagen has sold a total of about 140,000 EVs, almost three times as much as last year. The share in total sales amounts to 5 to 6 percent, but that must be further increased. This year, Volkswagen is probably just missing the boat when it comes to the CO2 standard. After all, the delivery of the ID3 did not start until later in the year. In order to be able to absorb a possible fine, the group has set aside ‘several hundred million euros’.
Volkswagen is investing heavily in EVs. The group will invest € 35 billion in its development over the next five years. According to Diess, this will allow Volkswagen to meet the EU’s current CO2 targets in the medium term, but there are rumors about a more ambitious European CO2 reduction. In that case, Volkswagen would have to re-examine its investments, says Diess.