EU car CO2 standards at a crossroads: four reasons to back a strong automotive package

The coming weeks will be crucial for the future of the EU’s car and van CO₂ standards and Clean Corporate Vehicles Regulation — a choice that will shape Europe’s car market for the next decade.

European car industry at a crossroads

Driving forward means a competitive, EU-made EV industry and clean and affordable mobility; turning back means locking in energy dependence, industrial decline, and polluting, expensive mobility paid for by citizens and companies.

Affordability

Households could save €70 a month by switching from petrol to electric. Large companies will save even more. Strong CO₂ standards mean affordable electric cars. Electrifying corporate fleets will speed up supply.

Weak CO₂ standards will delay the moment electric cars cost the same as petrol cars. Citizens are stuck in a fossil fuel trap: diesel already costs €30 extra every time they fill their tank.

Competitiveness

Europe is going electric: 38% of new cars sold in August were fully electric. Strong CO₂ standards keep European carmakers in the race. Made-in-EU requirements mean more jobs and investment.

Weak car CO₂ standards and corporate fleet targets means 22 million electric vehicles won’t be built in EU factories (T&E based on ACEA). Clinging to the combustion engine won’t protect jobs or investments from our competitors.

Climate-proofing

Cars and vans produce 16% of the EU’s CO₂ emissions. A strong automotive package puts them on track, keeping 720 million tonnes of CO₂ out of Europe’s air by 2050.

Weaker rules on cars CO₂ standards would add 1.4 billion tonnes of CO₂ by 2050. After Europe’s summer of climate disasters, this rollback would threaten our climate objectives and future generations.

Energy security

Electric cars saved €2.9 billion in oil imports last year alone. The EU is more independent by going electric with locally sourced renewables that strengthen our energy security. Weakening CO₂ standards could mean 900 million more barrels of imported oil by 2035.

Giving combustion engines on the road longer will cost Europe €74 billion. Paid by households, straight to oil-rich countries.

T&E voting recommendations:

• CO₂ standards for cars and vans
• Clean corporate vehicles

Article from T&E.