Car-making giants including the Volkswagen Group and Stellantis have backed the European Commission’s pledge to relax the EU’s CO2 targets, which were this year made much harder to hit.
But a “surprised and frustrated” Volvo has slammed the proposed law changes and criticised both the Commission and its contemporaries for lobbying to weaken the targets.
Like with the UK’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, a car maker or group’s average fleet CO2 levels are measured under EU law, with fines dished out to any that miss objectives.
The EU targets were raised for 2025 - and will be every year going forward to 2035- as Europe, like the UK, moves to banning internal combustion from the new car market in 10 year's time.
Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said that, in a bid for balance, the Commission will as part of its Future of the Automotive Industry bill ask EU lawmakers to adjust targets from an annual compliance to compliance over three years.
It follows a number of European car makers backtracking on previous commitments to move electric-only line-ups within the decade as interest in EVs slows down on the continent.
As part of the changes, the targets won't change and will still need to be fulfilled, either through borrowing or banking.
In response, Volkswagen Group, Stellantis and Renault told Autocar that they back the changes, calling them an “important step forward”.
The Volkswagen Group stated: “The EU’s proposal offers manufacturers the flexibility they need to achieve their targets. Not a gram of CO2 savings is lost for the protection of our climate.
"We also need a rapid reality check for the CO2 fleet targets in the area of heavy commercial vehicles."
Stellantis stated: “The flexibility introduced regarding CO2 targets, with an extended compliance period, is a meaningful first step in the right direction to preserve the competitiveness of our sector while remaining faithful to the targets and committed to electrification.
“It is now important that the proposed targeted amendment be turned into law quickly.
"This initiative, together with further support to targeted purchase and fiscal incentives, cheaper (green) energy and investment into charging infrastructure, can be a real accelerator in the ramp up towards electrification.”
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