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Last Updated on: March 5, 2025, at midnight.
Reactions to Ursula von der Leyen’s Comments on Auto Emissions
The European Commission has announced plans to modify the CO2 emission targets for car manufacturers set for the year 2025. President Ursula von der Leyen indicated that compliance could be spread over a three-year period rather than restricted to just one. This decision requires further approval from EU governments and MEPs but represents a significant concession to Europe’s automotive sector amid an important compliance timeframe.
Extended Compliance Window Implications
This new proposal suggests extending the deadline for reaching the stated target until the end of 2027. Should this go through, it would enable automakers to market fewer environmentally friendly vehicles in 2025 while potentially increasing their sales of cleaner cars in subsequent years (i.e., in 2026 and beyond). Such a maneuver is likely to hinder rapid advancements in electric vehicle (EV) production across Europe and lessen incentives for manufacturers to produce lower-cost electric options by the defined target date.
Industry Concerns
William Todts, executive director of Transport & Environment (T&E) and participant in discussions regarding EU automotive policies stated: “Altering clean car regulations undermines progress by rewarding those who lag behind. Instead of propelling Europe’s automotive industry forward as intended, this move risks falling further behind global leaders like China in EV manufacturing. We urge policymakers to devise an actionable strategy that reinstates trust and aligns with goals for completely emission-free vehicles by the year2035.”
The Need for Immediate Action
The current CO2 reduction goals set for manufacturers are plausible given that they have till year’s end to adhere; however, elongating this timeline diminishes urgency around delivering affordable EV models such as the Renault R5 or Citroën eC3 – both designed specifically to align with these forthcoming requirements.
This content was first published by T&E.
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