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A step back: EU votes in favor of softening CO2 fleet targets

European Council must now approve it, but it's unlikely it won't.

Author

Jaan Juurikas
May 09, 2025 • Reading Time: 3 minutes

EVWire brief: In a vote of 458 in favour, 101 against and 14 abstentions, the Members of the EU Parliament yesterday voted to allow the automakers achieve their 2025 CO2 fleet targets for new cars and vans in an average between 2025 and 2027, instead of the year 2025 (or 2026, 2027 respectively).

The parliament writes: “The current rules set annual targets, covering five-year periods, for reducing average CO2 emissions from new cars and vans across the EU fleet. From 2025, an annual CO2 emission reduction target of 15% compared to 2021 values will be in application for the 2025-2029 period.”

Since EU Council has already approved the same legislation text a day earlier, it is highly unlikely that they will now act differently.

Here’s two comments from the clean technology side of the industry:

This flexibility represents a setback for Europe’s clean transport strategy. Some manufacturers might benefit from a short-term relief to adjust their electric vehicle portfolios, but it comes at the cost of delaying broader market access to affordable electric cars. At this critical stage of the transition, Europe cannot afford to slow momentum toward electrification. Further delays risk undermining the EU’s industrial leadership and will have long-lasting consequences for both emissions reductions and competitiveness.”

— Peter Mock, Europe Director of International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)

Their ICCT press release also says that “Before this amendment, starting this year, a 15% more stringent target was expected to apply for the 2025 to 2029 period. However, under the approved averaging mechanism, it is to be expected that manufacturers will exceed their 2025 CO₂ targets and compensate in 2026 or even only in 2027. This will result in more combustion engine vehicles for a longer period and fewer electric vehicles, and substantial excess emissions. “

Meanwhile, Transport&Environment (T&E) group put out a release saying the delay is an “is an unnecessary gift to the auto industry just as electric car sales are surging in Europe.”

“It’s ironic that the EU is delaying emissions targets for the car industry just as EV sales surge. The boom is thanks to new, more affordable models that the carmakers launched to comply with the original EU target. This delay will allow the industry to take the foot off the gas for the EV roll-out while also slowing down investments."

— Lucien Mathieu, cars director at T&E

T&E called on the EU to stand firm over its future CO2 targets for carmakers as Europe cannot afford further delays in catching up with China.

Source: European Parliament press release, here is the full proposal which was voted for.

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