French President Emmanuel Macron said France would support stronger local sourcing rules for electric vehicles in Europe, backing what he described as a “European preference” as the European Commission prepares new proposals for the auto industry.
Speaking during a three-day state visit to China, Macron said the European Union should allow more leeway in how automakers meet emissions targets over the coming decade. “We support more technological flexibility to have more technological neutrality by 2035,” he said, adding that Paris and Berlin had reached common ground on the issue.
See also: France to Offer Extra €1,000 Bonus for Locally Assembled Electric Cars
Macron framed the proposal as a way to shield Europe’s manufacturing base from growing competitive pressure, particularly from Chinese automakers. “We must protect our European production base,” he said while speaking to reporters in the southwestern city of Chengdu.
The remarks come as the European Commission reviews the EU’s decarbonisation strategy, including the planned 2035 ban on sales of new combustion-engine vehicles. Automakers across the bloc have stepped up lobbying efforts to soften the rules, arguing that strict emissions standards risk job losses and could tilt the market in favor of imported Chinese vehicles at a critical stage of the EV transition.
See also: France Resumes EV Leasing Scheme for Low-Income Households with €370 Million Budget
Pressure is also building within France’s domestic auto sector for tougher origin requirements. French newspaper Le Figaro reported this week that the industry is seeking the introduction of a “made in Europe” label for vehicles and components, aimed at countering China’s expanding share of the European electric car market. Under the proposal, at least 80% of a vehicle’s components would need to be sourced locally for it to qualify.