Discussions between Member States were continuing at the time of writing on Tuesday 28 June to try to reach a common position (‘general approach’) on CO2 emission standards for cars and commercial vehicles (see EUROPE 12980/5).
While the Member States seemed to agree on the vast majority of aspects concerning the standards for CO2 emissions from commercial vehicles, some divisions emerged as the relevant ministers spoke.
While the car industry is a major contributor to the country’s economy, in the morning Germany proposed the addition of a new recital to the text, stipulating that only vehicles using “neutral” fuels should be registered, thus leaving the door open to synthetic fuels.
This position was subsequently supported by several other Member States, such as Italy and Hungary.
“Germany’s proposal for technological neutrality seems preferable to us, it is the best way to manage the objectives”, said the Hungarian minister.
In addition, Germany and Italy have also proposed reviewing the derogations for small volume manufacturers. On this point, the document obtained by EUROPE states, the reduction requirements for all manufacturers present on the market should be aligned, with the exception of those who produce less than 1,000 new vehicles registered per year.
The possibility for manufacturers producing 1,000 to 10,000 newly registered passenger cars or 1,000 to 22,000 newly registered light commercial vehicles in a calendar year to apply for a derogation from their specific emissions targets should cease from 2036, instead of 2029 in the French Presidency’s draft general approach to the EU Council.
Possibility for Member States to go faster
In addition, part of the ministers’ discussions on the subject was also devoted to the timetable and deadlines set out in the text.
For some countries, such as Slovakia and Poland, caution should be exercised regarding the targets set for 2035, taking into account the evaluation report to be published in 2028 and the progress made on alternative fuels. For others, on the other hand, the text lacks ambition.
“We would have liked more ambitious dates. The text captures the balance between the priorities and concerns of the Member States. But we could not support extending the deadline beyond 2035”, commented the Swedish minister, who was joined by the Danish and Belgian ministers.
Other Member States, for their part, have also insisted on more flexibility at national level to go beyond the ambitions of the text or to move more quickly.
“In a spirit of compromise, we can be satisfied with what is on the table, but we should be able to move faster at national level. And the text should not be watered down by delays, exemptions or the like. This is an absolute minimum”, warned the Dutch minister. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)