The European centre right and the Conservatives will seek to lower the European Parliament’s level of ambition when the assembly takes a stance in Strasbourg, on Wednesday 14 November, on the May 2018 proposal for a first-ever regulation establishing emission standards for the European fleet of heavy goods vehicles by 2025 and 2030, which is aimed at providing an incentive for makers to sell zero- or low-emission vehicles.
Given the very ambitious vote by the Parliament’s committee on the environment, which had recommended a 20% reduction in emissions by 2025 compared with 2019 (instead of the 15% proposed by the Commission) and 35% in 2030 (instead of at least 30%) (see EUROPE 12120), the EPP and the ECR Groups were, on Thursday 8 November, to put forward amendments for reviewing these targets downwards. Other amendments of these political groups aim to get rid of “zero emission”, and to lower the level of fines in the event of non-compliance with the targets by makers. The deadline for tabling amendments was on Thursday.
“This will be the same dynamic as for CO2 in cars and vans”, the Dutch rapporteur, Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA), told EUROPE. He went on to express the hope that the ambitious targets would be imposed through “the progressive coalition” – Greens/EFA, S&D, ALDE, GUE/NGL.
He went on to add: “The stakes are high for climate but also for innovation in Europe. We know that the transport sector must reduce its emissions. Europe has invested in old diesel technologies. If we wanted to reach the targets, we would have to ensure that investment for zero emission vehicles is made so that those vehicles are produced in Europe. Otherwise, in twenty years’ time, we would only be importing Chinese vehicles”.
Eickhout found the attempt to lower the level of fines “strange” as, he said, “the fine would be so low that they will choose to pay the fine”.
The Parliament will call for a mandate to begin negotiations with the Council of the EU in trialogue, once this is ready. The Council has not yet finalised its position on this issue (see EUROPE 12114). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)