Members of the European on an environment committee have adopted a proposal for revised CO2 emissions targets for new cars and vans and incentives for clean vehicles made in the EU.
The draft rules form part of a broader package for a clean and competitive European automotive sector.
In calculating a manufacturer’s average specific CO2 emissions, small EVs (having a maximum length of 4.2 metres and made in the EU) would count as 1.4 vehicles, and highly efficient EVs (made in the EU and meeting strict electric energy consumption thresholds) as 1.2 vehicles, MEPs say. If vehicles are registered under a social leasing scheme, the multipliers would be increased by 0.1, to 1.5 and 1.3 respectively. Pure electric vans made in the EU would count as 1.2 vehicles from the entry into force until the end of 2034 and as 1.4 vehicles as of 2035. part of a broader package for a clean and competitive European automotive sector.
For passenger cars, MEPs want to lower the 2035 fleet-wide CO2 emissions reduction target from 100% to 87.5%. Manufacturers would have to compensate for emissions capped at 7.5% (of the 2021 EU fleet-wide reference target) to reach a target of 95%, by using credits for low-carbon steel made in the EU.
For vans, MEPs propose a 35% reduction target by 2030, compared with 40% in the Commission text and 50% under the existing rules. The 2035 target would decrease from 100% to 80% (in this case, low-carbon steel credits could be used, subject to a 7.5% cap).
From entry into force of the rules and until the end of 2034, low-carbon steel credits may count for no more than 3% towards meeting specific targets for both cars and vans.
To clarify the application of the new rules, MEPs propose that “vehicles running exclusively on eligible fuels” (VEEFs) would mean cars and vans using only renewable and low-carbon fuels that meet certain criteria. The definition of “zero-emission vehicles” would also be modified to include both vehicles with zero CO2 tailpipe emissions and VEEFs.
There would be super credits for certain EVs. In calculating a manufacturer’s average specific CO2 emissions, small EVs (having a maximum length of 4.2 metres and made in the EU) would count as 1.4 vehicles, and highly efficient EVs (made in the EU and meeting strict electric energy consumption thresholds) as 1.2 vehicles, MEPs say. If vehicles are registered under a social leasing scheme, the multipliers would be increased by 0.1, to 1.5 and 1.3 respectively. Pure electric vans made in the EU would count as 1.2 vehicles from the entry into force until the end of 2034 and as 1.4 vehicles as of 2035.
