Auto-Suisse criticizes the refusal to relax CO2 emission rules

Auto-Suisse, the association of Swiss car importers, expresses its profound disappointment with the decision by the Commission for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy (CEATE-N) not to relax CO2 emission regulations. This refusal could lead to significant economic upheaval for the automotive sector. The costs of CO2 penalties, estimated at 125 million Swiss francs, combined with avoidance costs that could reach a similar amount, exacerbate the sector's financial difficulties. According to Auto-Suisse, this regulatory rigidity jeopardizes the sector's competitiveness, jobs, and future investments, making Switzerland's climate goals increasingly unattainable.

The CEATE-N has decided against aligning Swiss CO2 law with the European Union, which offers a three-year transition period. Thomas Rücker, director of auto-suisse, emphasizes that this decision ignores economic realities and directly threatens the viability of numerous SMEs and garages across Switzerland. The sector has already made significant efforts to meet the requirements, but the associated costs remain high and hinder innovation and investment.