| 20.12.2007 | 15:00 UTC
Germany opposes plan to limit CO2 emissions of cars
The German government has expressed outrage at the European Commission's plans to bring in tough legislation limiting carbon-dioxide emissions from cars. Chancellor Angela Merkel said the plan would unduly burden Germany and its carmakers. Environment minister Sigmar Gabriel called it a "competition war" against the German car industry that benefited French and Italian rivals who make lighter cars than their German counterparts. During a meeting in Brussels, the EU's executive arm proposed reducing the average amount of CO2 emitted by new passenger cars from 160 to 120 grams per kilometre by 2012. The proposal now needs to be approved by member states.
