The European Commission announced a collaborative agreement this weekend aimed at removing Germany’s late-stage veto on future car emissions rules set to take effect in 2035. Negotiations have produced a framework that would allow the sale of cars in the European Union that meet stringent CO2 standards, with the emphasis on vehicles that do not produce CO2 emissions. The shift signals a coordinated move toward a broader adoption of electric and low-emission mobility across member states, aligning the bloc’s climate targets with practical policy steps that affect the automotive market in the near term.
Frans Timmermans, the EC’s vice-president for the European Green Pact, confirmed via social media that an agreement has been reached with Germany about the future deployment of electric fuels in cars and the corresponding regulatory framework. He indicated that the Community Executive will push forward with finalizing the law and will pursue the adoption of CO2 standards for motor vehicles as quickly as possible, adding that the Commission will take the necessary legal steps to implement the plan without delay.
During last week’s discussions at the European summit in Brussels, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had already signaled a willingness to reach consensus, stressing that Berlin and Brussels could agree to remove the veto if it served Europe’s climate goals. Scholz’s remarks, delivered with a touch of humor, underscored the urgency of the EU’s flagship climate policy and its role in shaping the future of automotive industry regulations across the union. The evolving policy is positioned as a cornerstone of the bloc’s strategy to reduce transport emissions and accelerate the transition to cleaner mobility models across member economies.