This month’s debate focuses on a controversial law adopted July 8th by Germany. Now, the environmental classification of new vehicles will take into account not only CO2 emissions, but also the weight of a vehicle. For example, a Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid which weighs 2.3 tons and produces 190 grams of CO2 per km would end up in the same category as a conventional city car weighing only 1.11 tons and emitting 114 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

In other words, large cars with high CO2 emissions could possibly carry better ratings than small vehicles with lower emissions. Carmakers like the new rules but NGOs have branded them greenwash.

So, are you for or against this decision?
France and Italy say this German CO2 label would unjustly place the environmental footprint of big German sedans and small cylinder Italian and French cars, on equal footing. They’ve argued before the European Commission saying it could adversely affect their producers, which tend to make smaller vehicles, and break EU competition rules. Green groups fear consumers will think they are buying vehicles that are less polluting than they really are.

On the “for” side, the adoption of the bill was welcomed by the German Automobile Federation, which means that Japan, China and South Korea are also basing themselves on a weight criteria when evaluating CO2 emissions.

So you decide, are you for or against this German CO2 label?

Let us know what you think right here, on Eco-mobility.tv