The European Commission will introduce more "flexibility" when it comes to meeting targets for CO2 emissions from new cars and vans. This is according to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. According to von der Leyen, however, this does not mean that the European Commission is relaxing its climate goals.
- With today's initiative, we are giving more flexibility to this key sector. And at the same time, we are staying on track towards our climate goals, says von der Leyen and elaborates:
- Together, we want to prove that decarbonization and competitiveness can go hand in hand.
The proposal comes after European car manufacturers have criticized EU rules in the climate field, among other areas, for putting them at a disadvantage in global competition. Specifically, the change to the regulation will allow carmakers to have their CO2 targets for 2025, 2026 and 2027 assessed as an average instead of annually. In other words, carmakers do not have to meet the 2025 target if they catch up in the last part of the three-year period.
- Europe is committed to supporting the automotive industry in its transition, and today's flexibility in compliance will help ensure that the industry can invest while maintaining the overall ambition for CO2 emissions, said EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
jel /ritzau/
