Loosening the Reins: EU's Adjustment of CO2 Emission Standards for Automobiles Approaching
Anticipated Announcement on Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emission Regulations Possible by Thursday - Relaxation of Car CO2 Emission Standards to be Announced Thursday
The European Parliament is set to make a decision on Thursday regarding the relaxation of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission norms for cars in 2022. The proposal, put forward by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, grants automakers the opportunity to offset their CO2 emissions from their 2022 cars with the values from the subsequent two years.
This proposal focuses on the so-called fleet limits, which regulate the average amount of CO2 that new cars sold by a manufacturer can emit. Each carmaker has an individual value, set to decrease this year and aimed to reach zero by 2035, effectively phasing out new internal combustion engine cars.
However, manufacturers such as Volkswagen and Renault have found it challenging to meet the tightened emission standards. They have called for more leniency in Brussels, fearing potential fines if they fail to meet EU targets.
Apart from this proposed relaxation, the law already offers another means for manufacturers to evade penalties: they can form partnerships, called pools, with competitors, resulting in an average limit applying to all members.
Before the vote on Thursday, the European Parliament could potentially introduce additional changes, even altering the combustion engine phase-out, a point contested by conservative and far-right politicians who wish to reverse the policy. However, this would necessitate further negotiations with the 27 EU governments.
As we head towards the end of the year, a comprehensive review of the law is planned. The combustion engine ban could become a contentious issue in the new German government, with the SPD advocating for its implementation while negotiations remain ongoing.
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- Auto
- European Parliament
- EU
- Strasbourg
- Ursula von der Leyen
The automotive industry has faced intense pressure due to global competition, particularly from China and the US, and the stringent timelines set by previous policies. The European Parliament's recent move to relax CO2 emissions targets has been welcomed by car manufacturers like Volkswagen and Renault, who have voiced concerns about the tight deadlines and their inability to meet the earlier, stricter targets. Critics, however, argue that the relaxation of targets may delay the expansion of charging infrastructure and slow down the pace of electrification, potentially leaving Europe behind in the global EV market.
| Aspect | Previous Approach | New Proposal (2025–2027) ||-------------------------|--------------------------|-----------------------------------|| Compliance Period | Annual | Average over 2025–2027 || Target Reduction | 15% year-on-year | 15% year-on-year, but averaged || Industry Impact | High risk of fines | Reduced fines, more flexibility || Long-term Goal | Zero emissions by 2035 | Unchanged (zero by 2035) |
The European Commission and Parliament maintain the long-term goal of achieving zero CO2 emissions from cars and vans by 2035, with interim targets of a 55% reduction for cars and 50% for vans by 2030. The recent changes serve as a temporary measure to provide relief to the automotive industry during this transition period.
- The European Commission's energy policy, as outlined by President Ursula von der Leyen, proposal a relaxation of CO2 emission standards for cars, allowing manufacturers to offset emissions from their 2022 cars with values from subsequent years.
- This adjustment focuses on fleet limits, part of the energy policy, which regulate the average CO2 emissions of new cars sold by a manufacturer, with the aim to reach zero by 2035.
- In Brussels, car manufacturers like Volkswagen and Renault have requested more leniency due to their inability to meet the stricter emission standards.
- The European Parliament, in a potential alteration before Thursday's vote, could adjust the combustion engine phase-out, a point of contention among conservative and far-right politicians.
- As the year ends, a comprehensive review of energy policy will be conducted, which may bring the combustion engine ban to the forefront in the new German government's negotiations.
- The relaxation of CO2 emission targets, as part of the EU's energy policy, has sparked debate within the environmental-science community, with critics arguing it may delay the expansion of charging infrastructure and slow the pace of electrification in the industry.
