EU Parliament votes on 100% CO₂ reduction target for cars by 2035

9 June 2022

In a plenary vote, the European Parliament has supported the Commission proposal for a EU fleet-wide target to reduce tailpipe CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (‘vans’) by 100% by 2035—effectively a ban on the sale of vehicles powered by combustion engines. Intermediate emissions reduction targets for 2030 would be set at 55% for cars and 50% for vans, relative to 2021.

The text, a part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, was adopted with 339 votes in favor, 249 against, and 24 abstentions.

Rapporteur Jan Huitema (Renew, NL) said: “An ambitious revision of CO₂-standards is a crucial part of reaching our climate targets. With these standards, we are creating clarity for the car industry and can stimulate innovation and investments for car manufacturers. In addition, purchasing and driving zero-emission cars will become cheaper for consumers. I am thrilled that the European Parliament has backed an ambitious revision of the targets for 2030 and supported a 100% target for 2035, which is crucial to reach climate neutrality by 2050.”

The adopted Parliament’s position must be now negotiated with the Member States before it becomes law.

The adopted position also includes the following measures:

• Removing the incentive mechanism for zero- and low-emission vehicles (ZLEV), as it no longer serves its original purpose;
• Gradually reducing the cap for eco-innovation, in line with the proposed stricter targets—the existing 7 g CO₂/km limit should remain until 2024, followed by 5 g from 2025, 4 g from 2027 and 2 g until the end of 2034;
• A common EU methodology by the Commission, by 2023, for assessing the full life cycle of CO₂ emissions of cars and vans placed on the EU market, as well as for the fuels and energy consumed by these vehicles.

The adopted text has been criticized by automotive OEMs. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) said in a statement that the automobile industry is in the midst of a wide push for electric vehicles, “but given the volatility and uncertainty we are experiencing globally day-by-day, any long-term regulation going beyond this decade is premature at this early stage. Instead, a transparent review is needed halfway in order to define post-2030 targets.”

Source: EU Parliament