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09:00, 13-Aug-2017
German chancellor rejects proposal to introduce quotas for E-cars
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday rejected a proposal by a rival party which will introduce quotas for electric cars in Europe. She said the implementation of such targets would prove too complicated.
“By the way, I don't really believe that the quota for E-cars - for this technology - has been well thought out,” said Merkel.
Instead, Merkel called for a bigger strategy for helping the auto industry make the transition to producing electric cars.
Merkel made the remarks when she kicked off her re-election campaign with a stinging attack on German auto executives, pressing them to be innovate to secure jobs and win back trust lost by a diesel emissions scandal.
Her rival Social Democrat leader Martin Schulz called for introduction of quotas for electric cars in Germany and across the European Union, saying it would encourage innovation.
The auto industry has been Germany's biggest exporter providing about 800,000 jobs. However, the country’s politicians fear its automakers are failing to invest enough in new technology and infrastructure. Concerns alike have been mounting since the Volkswagen emissions scandal broke in 2015.
(With inputs from Reuters)