The EU has applied brakes to its proposed emissions tightening in the face of lobbying by car makers.
But the decision has been criticised by environmental group T&E who say “green-car” sales were improving and moving towards the production limits dictated by the lawmakers.
The delay to EU car climate rules mark the final concession to European carmakers which used unrepresentative 2024 sales data to argue for flexibilities, T&E has said.
The EU Commission this week formally proposed legislation to give carmakers until 2027 to comply with their 2025 emissions reduction targets. However, this decision will not affect the UK Government’s legislation which has already come into effect on the number of electric cars which must be sold.
“T&E believes the concession is a mistake as it was made despite battery electric car sales in Europe increasing by 28% over the first two months of the year as the industry prepared to comply with the existing 2025 target,” the group said in a press release.
Julia Poliscanova, senior director for vehicles and emobility supply chains at T&E, said, “The EV sales rebound shows that the existing EU target is working. Require carmakers to sell more electric cars and the buyers will come. It is a mistake to change the rules in the middle of the game. This must be the last flexibility carmakers are given. Let’s allow the 2030 and 2035 targets to do their work and bring affordable EVs and clean-tech investment into Europe.”
ACEA said it was a sensible move by the EU to move from the 2025 deadline.
The proposal for a three-year averaging is a step in the right direction, aligning decarbonisation goals with real-world market and geopolitical challenges, said car makers.
It offers much-needed breathing room for car and van makers— but this must be complimented by meaningful demand incentives and widespread charging infrastructure deployment in order to address the fundamental hurdles to the transformation.
As the latest market data shows, the demand for zero-emission vehicles is still far from where it needs to be with the market share of BEVs at just 15%.
Sigrid de Vries, Director General of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association said, “The next important step is then to thoroughly assess the transformation’s overall progress, with a focus on refining the approach – not the end goal – where necessary. This is no less important for the commercial vehicles sector: with zero-emission trucks accounting for only 2% of all new registrations, this vehicle segment urgently needs an acceleration of the review of its CO2 standards to 2025, too, based on an assessment of the sectors’ enabling conditions.”
Hyundai Motor Company has revealed the all-new NEXO fuel cell electric vehicle, a cutting-edge mid-size SUV, at its global launch event at the Seoul Mobility Show in Korea.
The all-new NEXO offers flexibility, efficiency and safety, making it an exciting choice for early FCEV adopters. With its advanced fuel cell technology, NEXO emits zero tailpipe emissions.
Hyundai is targeting more than 420 miles of range from a five-minute charge, while safety has been a clear focus of the NEXO’s development. Hyundai is targeting top-tier safety ratings thanks to the NEXO’s comprehensive safety features, ensuring peace of mind for drivers and passengers.
