The European Commission recently announced that it is extending the deadline for new cars and vans to meet strict CO₂ emission standards. The proposed legislation would assess compliance with the 2025-2027 emissions targets by averaging results over three full calendar years, rather than annually. This approach would allow manufacturers to offset any overshoot in some years by offsetting excess performance in other years.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this flexibility is key to supporting investment in clean technology while maintaining ambitious climate change targets. "Our automotive industry is highly innovative and dynamic. We are providing room for appropriate adaptation, while remaining true to our environmental commitments," von der Leyen said.

The proposal was presented as part of a wider Industrial Action Plan for the automotive sector, which aims to encourage a shift away from fossil fuels and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. But Transport & Environment warns that the additional flexibility should not be used as an excuse for insufficient action. Critics say carmakers have already submitted incomplete and unrepresentative sales figures for 2024 to buy themselves more time to adapt to strict emissions standards.

According to T&E, the growth in electric vehicle sales in Europe in the first months of the year suggests that the existing 2025 targets are achievable, and therefore additional delays should not be a recurring exception. “Electric vehicles are selling faster and faster and the market is adapting dynamically,” stressed Julia Poliscanova, Director of Vehicles and Supply Chain at T&E. “The last flexibility must be the last – it is time to fully transition to low-carbon mobility and ensure the competitiveness of our industries.”

The European Commission hopes the new approach will allow carmakers to better invest in emission-reducing technologies while maintaining ambitious climate neutrality targets. If approved, the proposal will be the latest step in a series of measures aimed at accelerating the transition to clean technologies and supporting the competitiveness of the European car industry on the global stage. Spring