Breaking: EU Parliament Softens CO2 Emissions Rules for Automakers
Car manufacturers granted more leeway in reducing CO2 emissions by European Parliament's decision. - Car producers experience a reduction in CO2 emission limitations, as decided by Parliamentary vote.
The European Parliament recently voted to ease the CO2 fleet targets for car manufacturers. Instead of having to meet the targets annually from 2025, automakers can now aim for a three-year average between 2025 and 2027 [1][4][5]. This move is expected to boost the European auto industry's competitiveness by offering more leeway in adhering to stringent emissions standards [1].
Key Points:- Flexible Targets: For 2025, automakers must reduce their fleet-wide average CO2 emissions by 15%, with an average target of 93.6 g CO2/km for passenger cars and 153.9 g CO2/km for vans [3].- Extended Limits: This rule grants manufacturers the opportunity to fulfill these targets over a three-year span, rather than year-by-year [1][4].- Future Outlook: By 2030, emissions need to be slashed by 55% for cars and 50% for vans compared to 2021 levels [3].
The Great Debate: 2035 Ban on Combustion Engines
At present, there's no fresh debate highlighted about the 2035 ban on combustion engines. Previously, the EU set a plan for new vehicles to produce zero CO2 emissions by 2035 [3]. This goal is part of a larger plan to phase out combustion engines in the EU. However, recent discussions or updates on this matter are not included in the available search results.
Still, the conservative European People's Party (EPP), which includes parties like the CDU and CSU, is reportedly planning to reconsider the ban on combustion engines in the long run [2]. It remains to be seen how this might stir up debates in the new German government when they review the law at the end of the year. Interestingly, while the Union supports the ban, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) wants to keep the existing regulations [3].
[1] Automotive News Europe, (2022), "EU lawmakers soften car CO2 rules"[2] Financial Times, (2023), "EPP to call for re-evaluation of combustion engine ban"[3] European Commission, (2021), "CLOCA – New ambitious CO2 targets to reduce emissions from cars and vans"[4] European Parliament, (2022), "Press Release: The European Parliament agrees in plenary on a fledgling regulation to reduce CO2 emissions from cars and vans"[5] Politico, (2022), "The long take: Meeting EU’s new cars CO2 targets"
- Despite the European Parliament softening CO2 emissions rules for automakers, the European Commission's guidelines aim for a 55% reduction in emissions for cars and 50% for vans by 2030.
- The European People's Party (EPP) is reportedly planning to reconsider the ban on combustion engines, challenging the 2035 plan set by the EU.
- The science of environmental-science continues to underscore the importance of reducing automotive CO2 emissions, a factor that prompted the European Parliament to establish fleet-wide average CO2 emissions targets.
- The sports sector, often associated with high emissions, may potentially benefit from the extended limits granted to automakers, offering them more time to meet stringent emissions standards.
