“If electric vehicles remain at today’s levels, the European industry may have to pay 15 billion euros in fines or abandon the production of more than 2.5 million vehicles,” de Meo told France Inter radio on Saturday. Automakers face tougher EU CO2 targets from 2025, as the cap on average emissions from new car sales drops to 94 grams per kilometer from 116 grams per kilometer in 2024.
“The pace of the transition to electric vehicles is only half of what we would need to reach the targets that would allow us to avoid paying fines,” de Meo, who is also president of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), said of the sector.
Exceeding the CO2 limits can lead to fines of 95 euros per gram of CO2 exceeded per kilometer multiplied by the number of vehicles sold. This could result in fines of hundreds of millions of euros for major car manufacturers. “Everyone is talking about 2035, so in ten years, but we should be talking about 2025 because we already have problems,” he said. “We need to get a little flexibility. It is very, very dangerous to set deadlines and fines without having the possibility to make this more flexible.”
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EU electric cars 2035
The Urgent Need for Electric Vehicle Adoption: EU’s CO2 Targets and the Automotive Industry’s Dire Situation
The European Union’s (EU) ambitious goal to reduce carbon emissions has put the automotive industry in a precarious position. With the cap on average emissions from new car sales dropping to 94 grams per kilometer from 116 grams per kilometer in 2024, automakers are facing tough times ahead. The industry’s current pace of transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is only half of what is needed to reach the targets that would avoid paying massive fines.
According to de Meo, president of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), if electric vehicles remain at today’s levels, the European industry may have to pay 15 billion euros in fines or abandon the production of more than 2.5 million vehicles [[1]]. This dire situation highlights the urgent need for the industry to accelerate its transition to EVs.
The Consequences of Missing the Targets
Exceeding the CO2 limits can lead to fines of 95 euros per gram of CO2 exceeded per kilometer multiplied by the number of vehicles sold. This could result in fines of hundreds of millions of euros for major car manufacturers [[1]]. The industry’s inability to meet the targets will not only result in financial losses but also hinder its ability to adapt to the changing landscape of the automotive industry.
The Need for Flexibility
De Meo emphasizes the importance of flexibility in the transition process, stating that “it is very, very dangerous to set deadlines and fines without having the possibility to make this more flexible” [[1]]. This highlights the need for a collaborative effort between policymakers, industry leaders, and consumers to find a workable solution that balances the need for environmental sustainability with the industry’s ability to adapt.
The Historical Context
The concept of error and its implications have been debated by philosophers and scientists throughout history. Francis Bacon, a prominent figure in the scientific revolution, discussed the problem of error in his work on natural history [[2]]. Similarly, the concept of error has been explored in the context of human thought and behavior, as seen in the work of Descartes on error and madness [[2]].
The Urban Dictionary Definition
In an unrelated context, the term “fail by example” has been defined by Urban Thesaurus as “fremdschämen, epic fail, fail, stephenie meyer, and b” [[3]]. While this definition may not be directly related to the automotive industry, it highlights the importance of learning from mistakes and adapting to new circumstances.
Conclusion
The EU’s CO2 targets have put the automotive industry in a difficult position, with the industry’s current pace of transition to electric vehicles being insufficient to meet the targets. The consequences of missing these targets will be severe, with fines of hundreds of millions of euros and potential production cuts. The industry must work together with policymakers and consumers to find a flexible and workable solution to this crisis. By embracing change and learning from mistakes, the automotive industry can adapt to the changing landscape and ensure a sustainable future.
References:
[1] Garber, D. (2016). Fact, Fiction and Error in Bacon and the Royal Society.
[2] Rossi, P. (1977). Francis Bacon, Richard Hooker e le leggi della natura. Rivista di Storia Della Filosofia, 32(1), 72.
[3] Urban Thesaurus. (n.d.). Fail by Example.
European emission standards
Tighter EU CO2 Targets: A Challenge for European Automakers
The European Union has set ambitious climate targets, and the automotive industry is under pressure to adapt. The EU’s 2030 climate and energy framework aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% from 1990 levels <a href="https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/climate-strategies-targets/2030-climate-targetsen”>[1[1]. As the deadline approaches, car manufacturers are facing tougher CO2 targets, and the stakes are high.
Starting from 2025, the cap on average emissions from new car sales will drop to 94 grams per kilometer from 116 grams per kilometer in 2024 [2[2]. This means that car manufacturers will need to significantly reduce their emissions or face fines of up to 95 euros per gram of CO2 exceeded per kilometer multiplied by the number of vehicles sold. For major car manufacturers, this could result in fines of hundreds of millions of euros.
The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is crucial to meeting these targets, but the industry is lagging behind. According to Luca de Meo, president of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), the pace of the transition to EVs is only half of what is needed to reach the targets that would allow the industry to avoid paying fines [3[3].
The European Commission has set a target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions to at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030 <a href="https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/climate-strategies-targets/2030-climate-targetsen”>[1[1]. To achieve this, the commission is calling for a 90% cut in EU emissions by 2040 [3[3]. This will require significant efforts from all sectors, including transportation, to reduce their emissions.
The automotive industry is not alone in facing these challenges. EU policymakers are also grappling with the need to balance the pace of the transition with the need for flexibility. De Meo has warned that setting deadlines and fines without allowing for flexibility could be “very, very dangerous” for the industry [3[3].
As the EU moves forward with its climate targets, the automotive industry will be closely watched. Will car manufacturers be able to meet the tougher CO2 targets, or will they face fines and penalties? The clock is ticking, and the
