The European Union is preparing a major change in its fight against global warming. From January 2025stricter rules on CO2 emissions from vehicles will be put in place. This reform, intended to reduce the carbon footprint of the automobile industry, is accompanied by major challenges for manufacturers, consumers, and the economy in general.
A stricter regulatory framework
The new standards, known as CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy)aim to reduce average CO2 emissions of vehicles sold in the European Union. Here's what changes in 2025:
- Reduction of authorized thresholds : Manufacturers must offer less polluting ranges under penalty of sanctions.
- Dissuasive fines : Each gram of CO2 exceeding the limit will impose a cost on manufacturers 90 euros per vehicle sold.
- Increased pressure on thermals : Gasoline and diesel cars will be further marginalized to make way for hybrid or electric technologies.
These rules are part of a broader strategy, which provides for a ban on sales of new thermal vehicles by 2035.
Consequences for thermal and electric cars
The tightening of standards will not have the same repercussions on all types of vehicles:
1. For thermal cars :
- Expected decrease in models available on the market.
- Increase in prices to compensate for fines and finance technical adaptations.
- Accelerated discount on used cars running on diesel or gasoline.
2. For electric cars :
- Increase in supply to respect CO2 quotas.
- Possible supply issues for strategic materials such as lithium or the cobaltnecessary for the manufacture of batteries.
- Necessary development of charging infrastructure, still insufficient in many regions.
A complex economic equation
The transition to stricter standards represents a major challenge for the automotive industry. According to Luca de MeoCEO of Renault and chairman of theACEA (Association of European Automobile Manufacturers), companies could be forced to mobilize billions of euros to face sanctions, to the detriment of investments in innovation and ecological transition.
At the same time, the loss of purchasing power of European consumers complicates the task. Electric vehicles, still expensive, remain out of reach for many households, while the hybridization of thermal models drives up prices.
| Aspect | Economic consequences |
|---|---|
| Builders | Cost of fines and investments in electricity |
| Consumers | Rising prices of new vehicles |
| Global economy | Risk of loss of competitiveness in the face of international competitors |
Europe facing industrial and environmental challenges
Despite the difficulties, the European Union is staying the course. The President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyenannounced the opening of a strategic dialogue to balance ecological ambitions and economic constraints. However, some players, such as Renault, are calling for more flexibility. Conversely, groups like BMW believe that these objectives are achievable thanks to hybridization and advanced technologies.
For consumers, these developments will have concrete impacts:
- Price increase thermal and electric vehicles.
- Reorganization of mobility habits, with increased dependence on charging infrastructure.
- Significant discount on second-hand thermal models, affecting family budgets.
For Member States, the transition requires massive investments in infrastructure and support for low-income households.
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