BMW and Mercedes-Benz sued over carbon emissions targets

BMW and Daimler/Mercedes-Benz are being taken to court in Germany over emissions targets.

As reported by Reuters, environmental and consumer protection association Deutsche Umwelthilfe has sued the pair for refusing to tighten up their carbon emissions targets before 2030, despite no government regulation enforcing the manufacturers to take action.

It's alleged letters were sent to BMW and Mercedes-Benz with a deadline of September 20 to agree to the organisation's demands – however this deadline has passed, triggering the legal action.

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Mercedes-Benz EQS

While Deutsche Umwelthilfe wants manufacturers to end internal combustion engine production by 2030, the European Union has already tabled a proposal to end ICE manufacturing from 2035, a target which a majority of manufacturers are already on track to meet independently.

Mercedes-Benz has previously stated its intentions to end production of ICEs for the European market by 2030, adding it will only release EVs as new models from 2025, although it hasn't ruled out continuing to produce ICE vehicles for foreign markets.

BMW is also pushing for greater electrification across its range, promising 50 per cent of its vehicles and those from sub-brand Mini would be electric by 2030, as well as setting its sights firmly on the Chinese market – with at least 12 fully-electric vehicles planned to be on sale in the country by 2023.

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BMW i4