Chillin' on Emissions: EU Eases Regulations for Car Manufacturers, But Not Forever
Expected ruling regarding loosening CO2 regulations for automobiles expected on Thursday. - CO2 emission limits for automobiles to be reviewed this Thursday
Here's the skinny on those fancy four-wheelers that you love so much: the EU is takin' it easy on car manufacturers when it comes to meetin' those carbon dioxide emissions limits for the 2022 model year. But don't get too excited just yet - this ain't a free-for-all, and there are some catches!
The big boss, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is tossin' manufacturers a lifeline: they can offset the CO2 emissions of their 2022 cars by slapping on the values from the following two years, 2023 and 2024. So, if a manufacturer can't make the cut this year, they still got some wiggle room to make up for it in 2026 and 2027.
These regulations Control the average amount of carbon dioxide that new cars can emit, and each manufacturer has their own personal limit. These limits were tightened this year, and they're aimin' to be zero by 2035 - the end of the road for new internal combustion engine cars.
Strugglin' to keep up with the tightened exhaust emission standards are companies like Volkswagen and Renault. They've been cryin' for flexibility from Brussels, because if they can't charm the EU's targets, they could end up payin' some hefty fines.
Besides this break, manufacturers can also partner up in "pools" with other competitors to avoid those fiscal headaches. With a pool, an average emissions limit applies instead of individual ones.
Afore ye lap this breather up, MEPs could've theoratically tossed in some curveballs before the vote on Thursday - even choppin' up the 2035 combustion engine ban, but that'd require some messy negotiations with the 27 EU governments.
Later this year, a comprehensive review of the law is planned, so keep your ears peeled for some kerfuffle, especially from the new German government - the SPD's aimin' to stick to the ban, while some folks wants to reverse it in the long haul.
The auto industry's bendin' over backward to meet these emissions targets, and it ain't easy. But buckle up, because this is just the beginning of the shift toward cleaner, greener wheels! ✌🏼🚗🌍
- The EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, is providing car manufacturers with a degree of flexibility for meeting carbon dioxide emissions limits in the 2022 model year.
- Manufacturers can offset CO2 emissions from their 2022 cars by using the values from the subsequent two years, 2023 and 2024, as allowances.
- The EU's regulations establish an average carbon dioxide emissions limit for new cars, with each manufacturer receiving an individual limit, which were tightened this year.
- The long-term goal is to have zero emissions by 2035, phasing out new internal combustion engine cars.
- Companies like Volkswagen and Renault have been seeking flexibility from Brussels, as they struggle to comply with the tightened exhaust emission standards.
- Manufacturers can form "pools" with competitors to have an average emissions limit imposed instead of individual ones, reducing financial penalties.
- A comprehensive review of the law is scheduled later this year, and the outcome could involve contentious negotiations between the 27 EU governments, MEPs, and the new German government, who have varying opinions on the combustion engine ban for the future.
