Von der Leyen opens to the changes: Stop the fines and 3 years to adapt to the targets on CO2 issues

The European Commission has accepted – in part – the requests of car producers who in 2025 will not reach the 20% sales target of electric vehicles and risked fines for a total for 16 billion euros. President Ursula von der Leyen – at the end of his meeting with the interested parties in the context of strategic dialogue on the future of the automotive sector – announced that he will already propose an amendment to EMISSION REGULATION of CO2 which provides for the calculation of the electric share on the three years and no longer annual.

This will allow – as is the case for the shares, for example of theS – to be able to recover the objectives not achieved this year in the next two years. And, looking to the future, von der Leyen has announced an acceleration in the revision of the 2035 objectives – which include zero emissions With the ban on sale of petrol or diesel engines – so that the principle of ‘technological neutrality’ is foundation. This could open up to solutions other than electric, as repeatedly requested by Italy.

“There is a clear request for greater flexibility on CO2’s objectives. The key principle is balance. On the one hand, we need predictability and equity for pioneers, those who have done tasks at home successfully. This means that we must stick to the agreed objectives. On the other, we must listen to the rumors of the stakeholders who ask more pragmatism in these difficult times and technological neutrality. Especially as regards the objectives of 2025 and the related sanctions in the event of default, “explained Von der Leyen in a press point.

“To deal with this in a balanced way, this month I will propose an amendment aimed at the regulation on CO2 standards. Instead of annual conformity, Companies will be three years old: It is the principle of banking and borrowing, The objectives remain the same and must be respected. However, this means more breath for industry and more clarity, without touching the agreed objectives. I am sure that such a targeted amendment could be quickly agreed by the European Parliament and the Council. Because obviously it only makes sense if agreed quickly. At the same time, we will prepare to accelerate the works on the 2035 review, having the total principle as a fundamental principle technological neutrality “, He assured.

In view of the presentation of the action plan for the car – expected Wednesday 5 March – Von der Leyen anticipated two other elements: an industrial alliance to give impulse to autonomous driving and greater support, also with direct funding, to the ‘Made in Europe’ batteries.

In recent days i European car manufacturers, represented by Acea, They had presented two alternative options to avoid fines: the first was to calculate the target of electric vehicles on 90% of the vehicles sold for 2025 and 95% in 2026 (thus lowering the percentage of the target); The second proposal was – in fact – to introduce a calculation on the average in the period 2025-2029, so that the years to come can fill the 2025-2026 gap. The Commission therefore partially accepted this proposal, announcing flexibility over three years and not out of five.

For Acea, the proposal announced by Von der Leyen is a first step in the right direction even if he asks for greater certainties for the future. In the medium-long term, the sector instead asks for more structural investments. For manufacturers, the failure to achieve the objectives of Electric shares in sales derives in particular from market difficulties independent of producers (see for example the cut of incentives) but also from defrastructure deficiencies for charging. The European Commission has established a goal of 3.5 million charging points by 2030 but the acea estimates that 8.8 million will be needed. At the annual level, the commission’s goal was 410 thousand (for ACEA 1.2 million) but in 2024 only 213 thousand were made.

European producers insist on their part on two data: 250 billion euros of investments in zero emissions mobility from here to 2030; And 370 models of battery -powered electric cars already on the market, of which Sixteen below 30 thousand euros.

The applause of Italy

From Italy the announcement of Von der Leyen is welcomed as good news. “Save the European car industry, the commission from reason to Italy. Eliminated the Tagliola delle Fines that would have determined the collapse of the sector. Now ahead with full technological neutrality, strategic autonomy in the production of batteries and a European incentive plan “, commented the Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso.

“Well the amendment proposed by Von der Leyen to the Regulation on CO2 emissions. Thanks to the PPE removed the risk of penalties for our automotive companies, which will have three years to adapt to the new standards. A common sense decision to support the European industry together in a critical moment”, wrote on X Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

For the environmental NGO T& and “the EU gives the car industry more weak climatic objectives in exchange for any commitment”.