Taraba Meets BMW Representatives to Discuss Future of Automotive Industry

Bratislava/Munich, 19 December (TASR) - Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) discussed support for the survival and competitiveness of the automotive industry in Slovakia and the EU during a meeting with representatives of German carmaker BMW in Munich, TASR has learnt from the Environment Ministry's press department. Taraba views the current EU proposal on the future of the automotive industry as insufficient, considering it a cosmetic and insignificant change that fails to address any essential issues. "Information that the EU is to scrap the ban on the production of internal combustion engines after 2035 is merely a media hype that will not actually bring any meaningful solutions for supporting the competitiveness of the automotive industry," stated Taraba, recalling that Slovakia supplies BMW alone with components worth almost €2 billion. "We'll support meaningful solutions and do everything we can to ensure that the interests of the automotive industry are taken into account, as the development of the EU's economy and the prosperity of its people depend on it to a great extent," said Taraba, adding that support for social or environmental policies would otherwise be impossible as well. On Tuesday (16 December), the European Commission presented a package of measures for the automotive industry to support its transition to clean mobility. From 2035, car manufacturers will be required to cut emissions by 90 percent, with the remaining 10 percent to be offset through the use of low-carbon steel produced in the EU or by e-fuels and biofuels. This will allow plug-in hybrids, range-extender cars, mild hybrids, and cars with internal combustion engines to continue operating alongside electric and hydrogen vehicles after 2035. jrg