the EPP calls for bringing forward the review clauses

The new CO2 regulations are attracting growing opposition within the European Union. The main conservative political group in the European Parliament, the European People’s Party (EPP), calls for a technologically neutral approach and to bring forward the review clauses by a year.

As the automotive industry faces an unprecedented crisis, Europe must relax its rules. This is the message conveyed by the European People’s Party which, in a position paper addressed to the Commission, calls for an in-depth review of the various European CO2 regulations.

Whether it concerns private cars or heavy vehicles, the EPP considers it necessary to broaden the spectrum of alternative solutions by providing for “ specific exemptions » for technologies like e-Fuel, or biofuels, including bioNGV. The document notably mentions the introduction of new methods for calculating CO2 emissions such as the Carbon Correction Factor.

Early revisions

The group, which counts European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen among its members, is also calling for an early review of the legislation to bring better visibility to the sector.

The revision of the CO2 regulation for light vehicles, which currently provides for the end of thermal energy in 2035, would thus be brought forward to 2025, instead of 2026, while that for heavy vehicles could begin at the end of 2026, instead of at the end 2027. In both cases, the approach must be technologically neutral in order to recognize the role of all alternative fuels.

The EPP recommends associating these revisions with a strengthening of the objectives of the new Afir regulation concerning infrastructure for alternative fuels, in order to accelerate their deployment for both cars and heavy goods vehicles.

“The actions of the sector in the broad sense are starting to bear fruit. And we hope that pragmatism, technological neutrality and a broad energy mix will soon be fully part of national decarbonization strategies. » reacted Erwan Cotard, President of France Mobilité Biogaz, during the 30th anniversary of the association, celebrated this Tuesday, December 4 in the Paris region.

Fines called into question

The pressure exerted by the new emissions limits, accompanied by heavy fines for manufacturers failing to comply with these standards, is also criticized. Initially designed to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, these sanctions are now considered counterproductive in a context of slowing sales of electric vehicles in Europe.

The EPP believes that this punitive strategy further weakens an industry already facing competition from Chinese electric vehicles, which are often less expensive. A position that echoes the statements of many major automakers who, with the exception of Renault, have recently issued warnings of falling profits.

Positions shared by other European actors

Several member countries, including Italy and the Czech Republic, support this request for review. In a joint statement, industry ministers from seven countries called for support measures, such as financial incentives for consumers to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.

Political figures like Giorgia Meloni, Italian Prime Minister, or German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have also expressed their concerns about the current trajectory. Meloni called the ban a “self-destructive policy”, while Scholz supported removing the fines so as not to further penalize an already weakened German auto industry.