Seven EU states oppose further easing of CO₂ targets

Seven EU member states — Denmark, Spain, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden — have urged the EU to stick to the ‘Automotive Package’ proposed by the European Commission in December. However, the countries oppose any significant weakening of the original target requiring all newly registered vehicles from 2035 onwards to emit zero grammes of CO₂ per kilometre, a measure often referred to as the combustion engine phase-out.

The countries warn that any further deviation from the planned phase-out of internal combustion engines would represent a strategic mistake. In a joint letter obtained by news agency AFP, they instead call on the EU to maintain its ambitious course towards battery-electric vehicles.

The coalition of states stresses that the EU must remain on a clear and ambitious path towards electrification. In a letter sent ahead of a meeting of EU environment ministers later this month, the countries warn that any further weakening of CO₂ targets in the automotive sector would undermine the integrity and predictability of regulations designed to reduce emissions from motor vehicles.

The ongoing energy crisis serves as clear evidence that reducing Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels is an absolute necessity, the letter continues, according to AFP. “Electrification is not only a climate policy objective, but also necessary for our energy security,” the seven EU countries state.

Under the Automotive Package, some hybrid and combustion-engine vehicles could still be registered after 2035 if their CO₂ emissions are fully offset through a credit system. This could include the use of clean fuels, green steel produced in the EU and/or supercredits for small electric vehicles with a maximum length of 4.20 metres.

In practice, it means that CO₂ emissions must formally be reduced by 90 per cent instead of 100 per cent, though offsetting the remaining 10 per cent via the credit system is expected to be challenging. In addition, the package includes plans for high electric vehicle quotas for large company fleets.

Some countries, particularly Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic, have long opposed the European Commission’s plans. Their demands include less stringent requirements for plug-in hybrids, changes to the planned compensation mechanism for CO₂ emissions after 2035 and more flexible interim targets. At the same time, the German government rejects both the supercredits for electric vehicles under 4.20 metres in length proposed by the European Commission and backed by the VW Group, as well as the planned regulation for company fleets with strict electric vehicle quotas.

The EPP Group in the European Parliament also seeks to amend the Automotive Package, demanding genuine 90 per cent CO₂ reductions without a credit system. This would effectively secure a future for petrol and diesel passenger cars.

spiegel.de (in German), terradaily.com