The European Commission is reportedly planning a significant softening of its planned carbon emission reduction regulations for new cars by 2030, a move drawing criticism and raising concerns about the EU’s climate commitments. According to reports from industry sources cited by the Handelsblatt, the current regulation, which mandates a 55% reduction in CO2 emissions for new cars and light commercial vehicles compared to 2021 levels, will likely be adjusted to allow for a less stringent, year-on-year implementation. This follows a similar adjustment previously made to the 2025 targets.
A key element of the proposed shift involves the introduction of “supercredits” for automakers producing affordable electric vehicles. While presented as a mechanism to incentivize the development of accessible EVs, critics argue that this will effectively allow manufacturers to offset their emissions, delaying the necessary, broader shift towards zero-emission vehicles. Notably, German automakers, traditionally focused on premium vehicles, are unlikely to benefit directly from this incentive, highlighting a potential disconnect between the policy’s design and the realities of the European automotive landscape.
Furthermore, the softening extends beyond 2030, with proposals now suggesting that plug-in hybrid vehicles and range extenders – which combine battery power with combustion engines – will be permitted beyond 2035. This represents a significant departure from previous plans that envisioned a complete phasing out of internal combustion engines by that date. European Parliament President Manfred Weber (CSU) has indicated that the target to reduce CO2 emissions is now being revised downward from a complete elimination to a reduction of 90%.
These revisions to the fleet emission standards, originally part of the crucial “Fit-for-55” package designed to limit global warming to just above two degrees Celsius (a substantial improvement from a previous trajectory predicting over four degrees of warming), constitute a clear backsliding from the EU’s initially ambitious climate goals. The recent agreement to postpone the implementation of carbon trading schemes for the building and transport sectors further underscores this shift.
The move has drawn condemnation from environmental groups and legal experts, particularly given the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) recent ruling emphasizing states’ binding legal obligation to limit emissions in line with the 1.5-degree target. Failure to adhere to this target could trigger international legal repercussions and financial liability. While the Commission maintains the revisions are necessary to ensure the regulations remain feasible and don’t unduly burden the automotive industry, critics warn that these concessions risk undermining the EU’s leadership role in the global effort to combat climate change. The political ramifications of these changes and their potential impact on the bloc’s credibility, are likely to intensify in the coming weeks.
