CO₂ emissions from passenger cars, MEPs maintain 0% target for 2035

MEPs on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI) decided to maintain the 0% emissions target by 2035, as initially proposed by the European Commission in a report by Jan Huitema (Renew Europe, Netherlands) on the regulation of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars and vans, which was adopted by a narrow majority (46 votes in favour, 40 against and 2 abstentions) on Wednesday 11 May.

In July 2021, the European Commission presented a legislative proposal to revise the CO₂ emission performance standards for passenger cars and vans as part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package (see EUROPE 12762/3).

According to the proposal, the fleet of newly registered cars should reduce its emissions by 55% by 2030 and 100% by 2035, compared to 2021. For new vans, the reduction targets would be 50% and 100% respectively.

A rare choreography took place during the vote in the parliamentary committee. Two compromise amendments were in opposition to each other (see EUROPE 12948/9). A first amendment, supported by the Renew Europe, S&D, and Greens/EFA groups, proposed to increase the CO₂ emission reduction for passenger cars to 70% by 2030 and for new vans to 65% by 2030.

On the other hand, the EPP and ECR groups had presented a compromise amendment that set a 0% CO₂ emission target for 90% of new vehicles registered in 2035.

The first compromise amendment was rejected (44 votes in favour, 44 votes against; the rule being rejection in a tie). The second compromise amendment was also rejected (43 votes in favour, 44 against). In this case, the rule proposed by the European Commission is maintained.

“I regret that we could not raise the ambition for the 2030 target. Nevertheless, the course remains clear and supports the European Commission’s proposal to only allow the sale of zero-emission vehicles from 2035”, moderated the chair of the ENVI Committee, French Pascal Canfin (Renew Europe).

He highlighted some positive points, however: - the introduction of a transition fund to support the sector players most affected by the transition; - the end of the most polluting vehicles by 2030; - the abolition of the favourable regime for heavy vehicles; - the deployment of retrofitting and the deployment of zero-emission vehicle fleets for companies.

“I will fight in the plenary to keep at least this level of ambition”, promised Canfin.

The rapporteur’s negotiating mandate was not voted on, as MEPs preferred to wait for the Parliament’s position in plenary before starting interinstitutional negotiations, contrary to the normal internal procedure.

The text will therefore be presented at the June plenary session in Strasbourg. According to an internal source, the EPP and ECR groups are expected to try to retable their amendments. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)