Brussels: On Tuesday, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) agreed to employ an urgent procedure for a targeted amendment to the CO2 emission performance standards for new cars and vans. The decision aims to adjust how manufacturers meet their obligations concerning average CO2 emissions across the EU fleet.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the current regulations establish annual targets, covering five-year periods, for reducing average CO2 emissions from new cars and vans. Starting in 2025, a 15% annual CO2 emission reduction target compared to 2021 levels will be implemented for the 2025-2029 period. The proposed amendment would allow manufacturers to average their performance over a three-year span-from 2025 to 2027-rather than adhering to individual yearly targets. This flexibility enables manufacturers to balance any excess annual emissions by surpassing the target in subsequent years.
Prior to the vote, representatives from various political groups engaged in brief discussions on the issue. The agreement to use the urgent procedure paves the way for the Parliament to vote on the proposal on Thursday, 8 May.
This initiative forms part of the European Commission’s industrial action plan for the automotive sector, which was announced on 5 March 2025. The plan followed a strategic dialogue on the future of the automotive industry initiated by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 30 January 2025. The dialogue included a public consultation and discussions with industry representatives and stakeholders to address significant challenges facing the sector.