German carmaker Volkswagen has added more Chinese original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to its European CO2 pool in late 2020, according to Schmidt Automotive Research.

Citing official European Commission documents, the research firm says the Volkswagen Group opened the doors of its emissions pool to China’s Aiways (carmaker and artificial intelligence provider); and Geely’s subsdiary London EV Company Ltd (a UK-based range-extender manufacturer for London taxis). Another addition was the Germany-based Next.e.Go Mobile SE, which has now a new investor following its insolvency last year.

Schmidt notes that all of the additions are either range extender or pure electric low-scale OEMs. Prior to that, Volkswagen had added SAIC’s MG Motors to its pool in Q3 2020. Its pool also includes Audi, Seat, Skoda, Bugatti and Porsche.

Volkswagen said on Wednesday it has made significant advances in its e-offensive delivering 231,600 all-electric vehicles, which is over three times the 2019 figure. The company also registered a 175% rise in its plug-in hybrid deliveries last year at 190,500 units, Kallanish notes.

“2020 was a turning point for Volkswagen and marked a breakthrough in electric mobility,” says Ralf Brandstätter, ceo of Volkswagen Passenger Cars.

Under European legislation, car manufacturers have to meet binding emission targets set according to the average mass of their vehicles, using a limit value curve. This means that manufacturers of heavier cars are allowed higher emissions than those of lighter cars. According to the European Commission, the curve is set in such a way that the targets for the EU fleet-wide average emissions are achieved.

From 2021, phased in from 2020, the EU fleet-wide average emission target for new cars will be 95 g CO2/km.

Volkswagen is said to have missed last year’s EU CO2 compliance by “just 1g/km” but it expects to reach the targets from 2021 onwards.