The negotiators of the Council and the European Parliament close a provisional agreement to accelerate the electrification of vehicles
From 2035 all vehicles marketed in the EU must be zero emission
The negotiators of European Parliament and of Advice -representing the governments- have closed this Thursday a interim agreement on the European legislation will forbid the marketing of new combustion vehicles –diesel, gasoline and also hybrids– for 2035. This means that from then on they can only be sold zero emission cars.
“It’s no wonder that the first ‘Fitfor55’ (package) deal concerns CO2 standards for cars – the pace of change in recent years has been truly remarkable. automovile industry of the EU is ready, consumers are eager to adopt zero-emission mobility. So let’s move at full speed! & rdquor ;, celebrated the vice president of the Commission, Frans Timmermanns.
The new legislation, which will still have to be approved by both institutions, establishes a CO2 emissions reduction target 55% for new cars and 50% for new vans by 2030, compared to 2021 levels. Five years later the reduction target should be 100%. “With these goals, we create clarity for the automotive industry and stimulate innovation and investment by car manufacturers. In addition, buying and driving zero-emission cars will be cheaper for consumers,” said the negotiator of the European Parliament, the Dutch, Jan Huitema.
“It is a clear signal that the EU is determined to move towards climate neutrality and the green transition. Zero-emission mobility will be a fundamental element in curbing climate change that can create serious disruptions in many sectors of our society, such as the environment, migration, food security and the economy”, celebrated the Czech Minister for the Environment, Anna Hubáčkováabout one of the key initiatives of the Fit for 55 package that Brussels proposed in July 2021 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
Signal for COP27
The agreement, which has been closed just ten days before the start of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change COP27 in Egypt, guarantees that the regulatory incentive mechanism is maintained for zero and low emission vehicles (ZLEV) until 2030 Under this mechanism, if a manufacturer meets certain parameters for the sale of zero and low emission vehicles, it may be rewarded with less stringent CO2 targets. The co-legislators have nevertheless agreed to increase the reference value to 25% for cars and 17% for vans until 2030 to ensure that it is in line with current sales trends and enables affordable zero-emission cars on the market. EU.
According to the agreement, manufacturers responsible for small production volumes in a calendar year (from 1,000 to 10,000 new cars or from 1,000 to 22,000 new vans) will be able to benefit from an exception until the end of 2035 (those responsible for less than 1,000 vehicle registrations new a year are still exempt).
The pact also includes a review clause which will guarantee that in 2026the Commission thoroughly assess the progress made towards achieving the 100% emission reduction targets and the need to review these targets in the light of technological developments, including as regards plug-in hybrid technologies.
Evaluation reports
Brussels will have to present an evaluation with the progress every two years. This analysis should cover the impact on consumers and employment, advances in energy efficiency and the affordability of zero and low emission vehicles, as well as information on the market for second-hand vehicles.
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During the negotiation, the European Parliament has also succeeded in introducing a methodology for the assessment and reporting of full life cycle CO2 emissions data from cars and vans sold on the EU market. The Commission will present this methodology before 2025, accompanied by legislative proposals where appropriate. In addition, Brussels will present a proposal for the registration of vehicles that run exclusively on CO2-neutral fuels after 2035.
Despite the satisfaction of Timmermans and the negotiators of both institutions, the European People’s Party has criticized the agreement because it will cause a ‘Havana effect’. “From 2035, our streets could be filled with old cars because the new ones will not be available or affordable. The agreement closes the door to new technological developments and puts all the eggs in the same basket. It is a mistake,” he lamented. the conservative MEP and negotiator, Jens Gieseke. According to the MEP, a complete ban on a technology goes too far and the EU should have opted for voluntary regulation.