EU PARLIAMENT VOTES FOR ALL NEW CARS TO BE ELECTRIC BY 2035

CO2 EMISSIONS FROM CARS & VANS

Today, Members of the European Parliament have just adopted the compromise reached with EU Member States and the European Commission on CO2 emissions for cars and vans. From 2035, no more new cars and vans with combustion engines will be registered in the EU. The Greens/EFA Group voted in favour of the outcome of the negotiations, on the first file of the Fit For 55 package to have completed the legislative stage.

The Commission's proposal for new CO2 standards for trucks is also expected today. Greens/EFA call for the end of combustion engines for new trucks between 2035 and 2040 depending on the truck segment, and by 2030 for the sale of new urban buses. Failing to put an end date for the sale of combustion engines in trucks would seriously undermine the objective of reaching climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest.

Bas Eickhout MEP, Greens/EFA Group negotiator in the European Parliament's lead Environment Committee, comments:

"The EU is leading the way on electromobility. The end of the internal combustion engine is a clear message from the EU for cleaner transport, climate neutrality and greater competitiveness. The Green Deal ensures cleaner air in road traffic and boosts the production of long range batteries and modern cars. The green transformation creates investment and sustainable jobs and protects the climate. 

“Today's decision provides planning certainty for the shift to e-mobility, strengthens the EU as an automotive location and protects the health of citizens. The next step must be the expansion of battery production and charging infrastructure. 

“The Commission must be as bold in its approach to emissions reductions for trucks. Only clear and strong targets will help the industry electrify and clear the road for a greener transport sector.”

More:

The Commission must aim for a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions from trucks by 2040 at the latest in its proposal this afternoon. The Commission's own impact assessment shows that 100% by 2040 is not only feasible but economically beneficial.

Fit for 55: zero CO2 emissions for new cars and vans in 2035

Press Releases
EU PLENARY SESSION

Road transport to contribute more to the EU’s climate neutrality target
New methodology for assessing CO2 emissions throughout the full life-cycle of a vehicle
Aligning emission limit values with real-world emissions


MEPs adopt ambitious CO2 emissions standards for new cars and vans @Michael Flippo / Adobe Stock

Parliament approved the new CO2 emissions reduction targets for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, part of the “Fit for 55” package.

With 340 votes in favour, 279 against and 21 abstentions, MEPs endorsed the deal reached with the Council on revised CO2 emission performance standards for new cars and vans in line with the EU’s increased climate ambition.

The new legislation sets the path towards zero CO2 emissions for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in 2035 (an EU fleet-wide target to reduce CO2 emissions produced by new cars and vans by 100% compared to 2021). Intermediate emissions reduction targets for 2030 are set at 55% for cars and 50% for vans.

Other key measures foreseen by the regulation:

The Commission will present by 2025 a methodology to assess and report data on CO2 emissions throughout the full life-cycle of cars and vans sold on the EU market, accompanied by legislative proposals where appropriate;
By December 2026, the Commission will monitor the gap between the emission limit values and the real-world fuel and energy consumption data, report on a methodology for adjusting the manufacturers' specific CO2 emissions, and propose appropriate follow-up measures;
Manufacturers responsible for small production volumes in a calendar year (1 000 to 10 000 new cars or 1 000 to 22 000 new vans) may be granted a derogation until the end of 2035 (those registering fewer than 1 000 new vehicles per year continue to be exempt);
The current zero- and low- emission vehicles (ZLEV) incentive mechanism, which rewards manufacturers that sell more such vehicles (with emissions from zero to 50g CO2/km, such as electric vehicles and well-performing plug-in hybrids) with lower CO2 emission reduction targets, will be adapted to meet expected sales trends. From 2025 to 2029, the ZLEV benchmark is set at 25% for the sales of new cars, and 17% for new vans, and as of 2030 the incentive will be removed;
Every two years, starting from the end of 2025, the Commission will publish a report to evaluate the progress towards zero-emission road mobility.

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Rapporteur Jan Huitema (Renew, NL) said: “This regulation encourages the production of zero- and low-emission vehicles. It contains an ambitious revision of the targets for 2030 and a zero-emission target for 2035, which is crucial to reach climate neutrality by 2050. These targets create clarity for the car industry and stimulate innovation and investments for car manufacturers. Purchasing and driving zero-emission cars will become cheaper for consumers and a second-hand market will emerge more quickly. It makes sustainable driving accessible to everyone.”


Next steps

Following the final vote in plenary, the text will now have to be formally endorsed by Council, too, before being published in the EU Official Journal shortly after.



Background

On 14 July 2021, as part of the 'Fit for 55' package, the Commission presented a legislative proposal for a revision of the CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The proposal aims to contribute to the EU 2030 and 2050 climate objectives, deliver benefits to citizens and stimulate innovation in zero-emission technologies.