On 8 May 2025, the European Parliament adopted an amendment to the regulation on CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles. This amendment provides additional flexibility for manufacturers to calculate their compliance with emission targets for the years 2025 to 2027.
The European Union has set ambitious targets for reducing CO2 emissions from road transport. Regulation (EU) 2019/631 imposes average emission limits on car manufacturers for new cars and light commercial vehicles. From 2025, these limits become stricter. In response to industry concerns about its ability to meet these targets due to delays in the rollout of electric vehicles, the European Commission proposed increased flexibility for the 2025-2027 period.
Parliament approved the Commission's proposal, which allows manufacturers to average their emissions over three years (2025-2027) instead of having to meet a strict annual target. In practice, a manufacturer can offset higher emissions in one year with lower emissions in other years. This flexibility is subject to conditions: it does not call into question the overall target of a 15% reduction in emissions by 2025 compared to 2021, nor the target of 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035.
The text was adopted by 458 votes in favour, 101 against and 14 abstentions. This is a first-reading vote, and the regulation is now final (Regulation (EU) 2025/1214).
This decision does not directly affect buyers of new cars. Emission standards remain unchanged, and manufacturers must still reduce their average emissions. The flexibility granted aims to avoid massive fines for manufacturers that cannot meet the targets in 2025, which could have been passed on to car prices. Ultimately, this supports the transition to less polluting vehicles without imposing a sudden break. Consumers can therefore expect a continued supply of electric and hybrid vehicles, with climate targets maintained.
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