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EU eyes giving car makers three years on CO2 targets

By AAP Newswire

Mar 4, 2025

EC president Ursula von der Leyen is promising "more breathing space" for the car industry. -AP

The European Commission will propose revising planned fines for vehicle makers whose car and vans fail to meet 2025 CO2 emission targets, by allowing them to hit the targets based on fleet emissions over three years.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told a news conference on Monday that the targets remained the same but that compliance would be over three years, rather than one.

The European Union executive intends to publish its automotive action plan on Wednesday to help ensure EU car producers can electrify their fleets and compete with more advanced Chinese and US rivals.

"There's a clear demand for more flexibility on CO2 targets," von der Leyen told journalists after a meeting with representatives of the European car industry in Brussels.

Under the proposed plan, companies are to be given three years to comply with the targets, instead of annual compliance demands, while the overall emission targets are to stay unchanged, she said.

Car makers "have to fulfil the targets but it means more breathing space for industry," von der Leyen said.

The commission president plans to table an amendment to the current rules this month to EU capitals and the European Parliament for approval.

Since the start of the year, manufacturers have to meet stricter limits for the average carbon dioxide emissions of their entire vehicle fleet.

Several car manufacturers are at risk of exceeding the targets as the sales of battery-powered vehicles in the EU have not increased as projected.

with DPA

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press