In practice, the proposed change will allow manufacturers to fulfill their obligations to the years 2025, 2026 and 2027 calculating the average of their performance over the three -year period, instead of each year separately
The European Parliament approved on Thursday a proposal to give more years to European Union (EU) car manufacturers to cut into the polluting emissions of new vehicles, compared to the stipulated period of 2025, and can do so in a phased manner.
Gathered in a plenary session in the French city of Strasbourg, the MEPSPettados endorsened – by 458 votes in favor, 101 against and 14 abstentions – to change the carbon dioxide emission standards (CO2) of new cars and vanches.
After opting to use the emergency process provided for in EU legislation to accelerate scrutiny, the European Assembly then decided to “support the Commission’s proposal [Europeia] Regarding the European automotive sector, which is impacting rapid technological changes and increased competition, ”the institution says in a statement.
Current rules set annual goals, covering five-year periods to reduce the average CO2 emissions throughout the European Auto Park, and from 2025, an annual reduction objective of 15% below 2021 levels to period 2025-2029 should be applicable.
In March of this year, the European Commission proposed a change to the regulation that establishes performance rules on new passenger and new commercial vehicles CO2 emissions, aiming at greater flexibility on the goals set between 2025 and 2027.
In practice, the proposed change will allow manufacturers to fulfill their obligations to the years 2025, 2026 and 2027 calculating the average of their performance over the three -year period instead of each year separately.
This will allow them to balance any annual surplus emissions, surpassing the goal in the following year or years, so they will have more time (two or three years) to meet these environmental goals.
The measure arises in a context of EU automotive sector crisis, also threatened by recent advertisements for US President Donald Trump’s heavy tariffs.
The EU automotive sector employs about 13.8 million people (approximately 6.1% of the total workforce) and represents about 7% of the EU Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In 2022, it generated a gross added value of approximately 237 billion euros and exports worth 235.6 billion euros, with a commercial surplus of 90.6 billion euros.
In terms of production, 12.1 million vehicles were manufactured by 2023.
At the moment, the community automobile sector faces challenges such as the transition to electric vehicles, the increase in international competition (particularly China) and the increase of production costs.
