Emissions reduction roadmap, von der Leyen to give more time to automakers
"We have to stick to the agreed targets", said von der Leyen. "On the other hand, we need to listen to the voices of the stakeholders that ask for more pragmatism in these difficult times, and for technology neutrality. To address this in a balanced manner, I will propose a focused amendment to the CO2 Standards Regulation this month". ACEA welcomes the initiative.
The EU Commission is coming to the rescue of automakers and granting more time to comply with the standards imposed to reduce emissions. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she will propose an amendment aimed at increasing the time given to manufacturers from one to three years.
So, not a cancellation of the fines under the European plan, but a deferment, however very important for the manufacturers themselves, as well as for many governments. First of all, the Italian one, with the Minister Adolfo Urso, who immediately spoke of “saving European industry” about the news announced by von der Leyen.
Von der Leyen’s words on the targets for automakers
“We have to stick to the agreed targets”, said von der Leyen. “On the other hand, we need to listen to the voices of the stakeholders that ask for more pragmatism in these difficult times, and for technology neutrality. To address this in a balanced manner, I will propose a focused amendment to the CO2 Standards Regulation this month. Instead of annual compliance, companies will get three years – this is the principle of banking and borrowing; the targets stay the same; they have to fulfil the targets. It means more breathing space for industry and more clarity, and without changing the agreed targets. I am sure that such a targeted amendment could be agreed swiftly by the European Parliament and the Council”.
During the meeting with representatives of the automotive world, the possibility of providing more concrete support from European institutions regarding the development of autonomous driving solutions was also discussed, but also in the context of developing a strong European industry in battery production, still the preserve of Far Eastern countries. “We will consider the possibility of directly supporting EU battery manufacturers.”
The adoption of a more pragmatic approach was immediately applauded by ACEA, the European association of automotive manufacturers, which is very concerned about the immobility of the electric vehicle market in Europe. The head of the Commercial Vehicles section, Traton and Scania number one Christian Levin, spoke out: “We have less than five years left to go from 2% to 35% market share with almost none of the necessary enabling conditions in place today. It is essential that the upcoming Action Plan for the Automotive Industry includes an accelerated review of CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles to 2025 based on an urgent assessment of enabling conditions. Trucks and buses are the backbone of Europe’s economy, essential to daily life for millions of citizens and businesses. But to accelerate their transition to climate neutrality, much greater emphasis must be given to deploying critical infrastructure”.
“This Strategic Dialogue comes at precisely the right moment”, added Ola Källenius, President of ACEA and CEO of Mercedes-Benz. “The transformation of our automotive industry is in full swing, and now we must define a framework that ensures the EU’s competitiveness in this critical sector. The transition to zero emission mobility and a thriving EU automotive industry must progress together—this is non-negotiable. We appreciate the focus on accelerating autonomous driving deployment and the proposed CO2 relief measures for 2025 for passenger cars and vans. But let me be clear about our primary concern: how do we chart the course to 2035 with the necessary flexibility and pragmatism to make this transition work? This is the fundamental question we would like to address with Commission President during the next Strategic Dialogue meeting.”
