The European Union has formally adopted an amendment to its CO2 emissions regulation for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, easing compliance requirements for carmakers between 2025 and 2027. The Council’s final approval, following a vote in the European Parliament, clears the way for the revised regulation to take effect.
The amended rule, which will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU, allows carmakers to meet their fleet-wide CO2 targets by averaging emissions over a three-year period rather than assessing compliance annually. The move is intended to provide manufacturers with more flexibility amid the ongoing transition to electric vehicles.
“The Council today adopted a targeted amendment to the Regulation on CO2 standards for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles,” the Council said in a statement on Monday.
The change stems from the EU’s strategy dialogue on the future of the automotive sector, initiated earlier this year. The emissions targets themselves remain unchanged, but under the revised framework, manufacturers that outperform CO2 targets in one year can offset potential shortfalls in other years, provided the three-year average remains within the limits.
Industry leaders had warned that the previous system risked immediate penalties if 2025 targets were not met. The revised regulation aims to ease that pressure by shifting the focus to longer-term performance. However, environmental groups have voiced concern that the flexibility could lead to a resurgence in combustion engine sales, potentially undermining the pace of electric vehicle adoption.
The European Parliament approved the proposal last month with 458 votes in favor, 101 against, and 14 abstentions. The Council’s subsequent approval was widely expected and considered a procedural step.
Despite the concerns raised, the legislative change marks a significant policy shift in how the EU oversees automotive emissions, reflecting a balancing act between environmental objectives and industrial feasibility.
Source: consilium.europa.eu