Giving Car Manufacturers Room to Breathe: EU Parliament's Flexibility on CO2 Emissions
Car manufacturers granted more flexibility in meeting CO2 emissions targets by the European Parliament. - Car makers receive approval for reduced carbon emissions standards from Parliament
The European Parliament has agreed to ease the pressure on car manufacturers, giving them a bit more wiggle room to meet their carbon dioxide emission targets. Instead of adhering to tight annual targets for 2025, manufacturers can now average their emissions over the years 2025, 2026, and 2027 [1][2][3].
The "Breather" Explained
This move, dubbed the "breather," allows carmakers to offset any shortcomings in one year by exceeding targets in another, offering them a bit of leeway in tackling the regulatory and technological challenges they're facing, particularly during their transition to zero-emission mobility [3].
Breaking Down the Decision
- Extended Compliance Duration: The new rule provides manufacturers with a more extended compliance period, averaging their emissions over three years instead of meeting annual targets [3].
- Targeted Emissions Reduction: Although the new rule offers flexibility, the overall emissions reduction goals are still aggressive. Starting in 2025, automakers must cut their fleet-wide emissions by 15% compared to 2021 levels for the 2025–2029 cycle [3].
- The Future of Internal Combustion Engines: The recent decision focuses primarily on near-term flexibility for emissions standards and doesn't directly impact the proposed ban on internal combustion engines by 2035. However, the EU's long-term strategy maintains a focus on zero-emission vehicles, suggesting that the 2035 deadline is still a vital part of EU climate policy [3].
The Automotive Sector's Relief
The decision acknowledges the operational pressures faced by carmakers in meeting stricter emissions standards while navigating technological innovation and global competition [3]. The aim is to find a balance between environmental goals and the practical constraints faced by the industry.
[1] "EU approves carbon dioxide targets for cars, delaying phase-out of internal combustion vehicles." Reuters. 2021, October 20. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/eu-approves-carbon-dioxide-targets-cars-delaying-phase-out-internal-2021-10-20/
[2] "One step forward for the EU's CO2 targets for cars." European Commission. 2021, October 20. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_5651
[3] "European Parliament votes to ease enforcement of CO2 standards for cars." Carbon Brief. 2021, October 20. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.carbonbrief.org/european-parliament-votes-to-ease-enforcement-of-co2-standards-for-cars
- EU
- European Parliament
- Individual members of EU Parliament
- Strasbourg
- Ursula von der Leyen
- Auto manufacturers, e.g., Volkswagen, Renault
- Fines for non-compliance
- Climate goals and zero-emission vehicles
- Post-2035 regulations for internal combustion engines
- Pooling of emissions by manufacturers
- The European Parliament, meeting in Brussels, has opted to provide automobile manufacturers with some flexibility in meeting CO2 emission targets, allowing a three-year average for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027.
- This move, commonly referred to as the "breather," offers car manufacturers the ability to offset shortcomings in one year with exceeding targets in another, helping them navigate the regulatory and technological challenges they face in transitioning to zero-emission mobility.
- Despite the flexibility, the new rule still requires automakers to cut their fleet-wide emissions by 15% compared to 2021 levels for the 2025–2029 cycle, maintaining aggressive emissions reduction goals.
- The decision, supported by individual members of the European Parliament, acknowledges the operational pressures faced by carmakers as they strive to meet stricter emissions standards while balancing technological innovation and global competition.
- The prolonged compliance period and average emissions calculation don't directly impact the proposed ban on internal combustion engines by 2035, but the EU's long-term strategy continues to emphasize zero-emission vehicles, suggesting that the 2035 deadline remains critical to EU climate policy.
- The European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, has approved the new rule, with the aim of finding a balance between environmental goals and the practical constraints faced by the automotive sector.
