general assembly European Parliament It crossed the last hurdle this Tuesday to approve an agreement with the Council – completed at the end of October – that will ban the commercialization of diesel and petrol cars and vans from 2035 and aims to commercialize all vehicles sold since then. in the European market none emissions. Despite the majority of votes against the popular, conservative and extreme right, the regulation, which is the first of the so-called ‘fit in 55’ package promoted by the EU, 340 votes in favour, 279 against and 21 abstentions. The final step will be final approval by the Council.
“Explicit support from the European Parliament to put the automotive industry on the zero-emissions path. With this vote, EU citizens will be able to drive clean and affordable vehicles. The global transition is happening and the EU automotive industry is ready to lead the way”, celebrated the Vice-President of the Commission, Frans Timmermanns. “A victory for the climate. This is historical. The French ecologist, head of the European Parliament’s transport commission, said the automotive industry should step out of fossil fuels and that “this is a clear signal for the industry”. Karima Delli.
The new legislation guides with an interim delivery date of 2030 to reduce CO2 emissions from new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles to zero by 2035. By 2030, the reduction in CO2 emissions will have to be 55% for new cars and 50% for new vans compared to 2021 levels. After five years, the reduction target should be 100% in both cases. with manufacturers reduced production Vehicles (1,000 to 10,000 new cars or 1,000 to 22,000 new minibuses per year) will be eligible for exemption until the end of 2035. Manufacturers producing fewer than 1,000 new vehicles per year will remain exempt.
By 2025 at the latest, the Commission will present a methodology for evaluating and reporting data on CO2 emissions over the entire life cycle of cars and vans sold in the EU. In addition, by December 2026, the Commission will examine the difference between emission limit values and actual fuel and energy consumption data, report a methodology for adjusting manufacturers’ actual CO2 emissions, and propose appropriate follow-up measures.
“This regulation will encourage the production of zero-emission or low-emission vehicles. It includes an ambitious review of the 2030 and 2035 targets necessary to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest”, stressed the European Parliament rapporteur, Dutch liberal Jan Huitema. As highlighted, the new targets bring clarity to the automotive industry and encourage innovation and investment among automakers. “Clean cars will be cheaper to buy and drive, and the second-hand market will emerge sooner,” he predicts.
Real incentive mechanism for zero or low emission vehicles rewards manufacturers who sell more vehicles of this type with lower CO2 emission reduction targets. These are vehicles with emissions between zero and 50 g CO2/km. electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles with good performance. This mechanism will also need to be adapted to meet sales expectations. Under the agreement, from 2025 to 2029, the zero or low emission vehicle criterion will be set at 25% for new car sales and 17% for new minibuses. However, as of 2030, this incentive will disappear and only zero-emission vehicles can be marketed.