EU's car regulator warns against car diesel ban in cities
Banning diesel cars in European cities could hamper automakers' ability to invest in zero-emission vehicles, the European Union's commissioner for industry has warned the bloc's transport ministers.
In a letter seen by Reuters, Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska said there would be no benefit in a collapse of the market for diesel cars and that the short-term focus should be on forcing carmakers to bring dangerous nitrogen oxide emissions into line with EU regulations.
"While I am convinced that we should rapidly head for zero-emission vehicles in Europe, policymakers and industry cannot have an interest in a rapid collapse of the diesel market in Europe as a result of local driving bans," Bienkowska said.
"It would only deprive the industry of necessary funds to invest in zero-emissions vehicles," she said in the letter, dated July 17.
Germany's three major carmakers have invested heavily in diesel technology, which offers more efficient fuel burn and lower carbon dioxide emissions than gasoline-powered cars.
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