EU Parliament Gives Car Manufacturers a Break on CO2 Emissions
EU Lawmakers Greenlight Relaxation of CO2 Emission Standards for Automobile Producers - Car makers face reduced carbon emissions restrictions following parliamentary approval.
Ready for a hint of leeway in the emissions game? You got it! The European Parliament, led by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has proposed a bit of breathing room for car companies. This means manufacturers can now offset the carbon dioxide emissions of their new cars this year with the values from the next two years. Miss your mark this year, and you'll still have a shot at making up for it in 2026 and 2027.
The regulations in question are known as fleet limits, which dictate the average carbon dioxide emissions that new cars sold by a manufacturer can emit. Each manufacturer has its own individual value, which is dropping this year and expected to hit zero by 2035. This sets the stage for phasing out new internal combustion engine cars.
Struggling to meet the tightened emission standards, heavyweights like Volkswagen and Renault have been pleading for a bit of slack in Brussels. Failing to meet EU targets could mean a hefty fine, and they aren't keen on that.
The 27 EU member states still need to formally approve the change, but they've already agreed to it in a majority vote on Wednesday. In case you're wondering about other ways to avoid penalties, manufacturers can team up with competitors in 'pools'. Yes, you read that right, pooling their resources to share a collective average limit.
The far-right factions in the European Parliament submitted further proposals to overturn the 2035 ban on new internal combustion engines, but these didn't gain a majority. Surprisingly, even the European People's Party (EPP), which includes CDU and CSU, is calling for a shift away from the ban in the long term.
As the EU's climate goals continue to progress, the looming end-of-year review of the law could stir up a buzz in the new German government. The SPD, unlike the Union, is adamant about sticking to the 2035 ban. Will the two sides find common ground, or will this lead to a dispute? Only time will tell.
- European Parliament
- Ursula von der Leyen
- Car Manufacturers
- CO2 Emissions
[2] The change provides European automakers with the necessary leeway during a challenging transition period, easing compliance burdens while maintaining the EU's climate goals.[3] The decision primarily impacts the near-term compliance pressures on car manufacturers, but it does not directly affect the long-term goal of banning new internal combustion engine cars by 2035.[5] The adjustment in emissions targets is part of a broader strategy to achieve zero-emission mobility by the mid-2030s.
- The European Parliament, led by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, has granted a reprieve for car manufacturers regarding CO2 emissions, allowing them to offset current emissions with values from the next two years, specifically 2026 and 2027.
- Under the fleet limits regulations, each car manufacturer has its own individual average carbon dioxide emission value, expected to reach zero by 2035.
- The adjustment in emissions targets is intended to ease the compliance burden on European automakers during a transition period towards zero-emission mobility by the mid-2030s.
- Despite pleas from heavyweights like Volkswagen and Renault, the European Parliament has not proposed overturning the 2035 ban on new internal combustion engine cars.
- The European Parliament has agreed to this change, although it still requires formal approval from the 27 EU member states.
- In the long term, even the European People's Party (EPP), which includes CDU and CSU, has expressed a desire to shift away from the 2035 ban on new internal combustion engines, a stance that contradicts the EU's climate goals and may lead to future disputes.
