Car producers given leeway on CO2 emission standards by EU Parliament - Car makers see reduced emissions targets eased by Parliamentary decision
All right, let's get down to it. Euro legislators have bestowed upon auto manufacturers a bit of a reprieve, sweetening the deal on those pesky CO2 emission standards. Here's the skinny.
The boss lady at the EU commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is doling out a "breather" to the carmakers, allowing them to average out emissions from their 2022 new cars across the following three years. That means if they fall short in 2022, they can make it up in 2026 or 2027. This distress call comes after companies like Volkswagen and Renault spoke up desperately seeking more wiggle room in Brussels. Missing those EU targets could mean getting walloped with fines!
These chatters center around the “fleet limits,” which, in layman's terms, are the caps on the maximum average CO2 emissions permitted for new cars sold by a manufacturer. Each manufacturer has their own allocated value, which has steadily been decreasing and is slated to reach zilch by 2035. That'll effectively phase out all those pesky internal-combustion engine cars.
Now, a heads up! This change still needs to be given the final green light by the 27 EU member states. And guess what? They already voted in favor during Wednesday's meetup, so it's looking pretty decent. Plus, there's another escape hatch for the manufacturers: they can pool up with their competitors, sharing an average emissions limit to avoid penalties.
Several loudmouths in the far-right camps of the European Parliament submitted proposals aiming to scrap the 2035 ban on internal-combustion engines, but those failed to gain enough support. However, even the typically upright European People's Party (EPP), which includes the CDU and CSU, is rumbling about moving away from that ban down the road.
This could stir up a tussle in the new German government when the law gets revisited at the end of the year. One side, the SPD, is all hoochy-coo over sticking to that ban, while the other is keen on arguing about it. So, sit tight and stay tuned as this drama unfolds!
Incidentally, there's some nuance here, hold on to your horses. This change doesn't mean the long-term goal of phasing out internal-combustion engines is a thing of the past, it's just that these manufacturers got some leeway to catch their breath as they address the transition to zero-emission technologies.
- The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, has granted car manufacturers a relaxation on CO2 emission standards, allowading them to average out emissions from their 2022 new cars across the following three years.
- This move comes after companies like Volkswagen and Renault sought more flexibility in Brussels, as missing the EU targets could lead to hefty fines.
- The EU targets aim for zero CO2 emissions from new cars by 2035, a decrease that has been gradually enforced through the fleet limits – caps on the maximum average CO2 emissions.
- The change in emission standards still requires approval from the 27 EU member states, who voted in favor during a recent meeting.
- Manufacturers also have the option to join forces with their competitors, pooling together to share an average emissions limit and avoid penalties.
- This relaxation in standards may lead to political tensions in the new German government, as parties disagree on whether to uphold the ban on internal-combustion engines, a debate that will continue through the end of the year.
