In the short term, a delay could give some European carmakers breathing space. But it would also once again create uncertainty in the sector about the direction Europe wants to take in the future. Manufacturers have known since 2019 that emissions standards would be tightened again in 2025.
But not all carmakers are waiting for a revision of the rules. More than 50 companies called on Europe at the end of September to be sure not to come back to the ban on combustion engines in 2035. This included the Swedish car manufacturer Volvo, the taxi service Uber and Europe’s largest leasing company, Ayvens.
They call that goal “achievable and necessary”, and say it “provides much-needed investment certainty for the future of the automotive industry in Europe”.
“Europe cannot afford to fall behind” in “the global race towards zero-emission technologies,” European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis defended the target. He pointed out that 20 percent of new cars sold this year will be electric according to the International Energy Agency, and that Europe is already lagging behind China.
The European Commission wants to reduce vehicle fleet emissions to achieve the climate goals for 2030 and 2050. Passenger cars cause 16 percent of total European greenhouse gas emissions.
