The European Commission is adamant to take decisive steps towards keeping up the EU’s commitments under the Paris Agreement which is to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 40% by 2030. Since the Agreement, the international community has made advances towards creating a modern low-carbon economy and the EU intends to strive to be the global leader of this transformation.
Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete said: “The global race to develop clean cars is on. It is irreversible. But Europe has to get its house in order to drive and lead this global shift. We need the right targets and the right incentives.”
To echo this, the Commission proposed new targets for the EU fleet wide average CO2 emissions of any new cars and van. This is set to start from 2025 and 2030 respectively and will require new vans and cars to have, on average, 30% lower CO2 emissions in 2030 than cars in 2021. “We are investing in Europe and cracking down on pollution to meet our Paris Agreement pledge to cut our emissions by at least 40% by 2030,” says Cañete.
The proposal aims to establish rules that both realistic and enforceable whilst simultaneously stimulating new technologies and business models alongside a more efficient method of transporting goods. A swift deployment of the proposal is to be bolstered by targeted financial instruments.
“We have entered an era of climate-friendly economic transformation,” said Maroš Šefčovič, vice-president responsible for the Energy Union. “Today’s set of proposals is setting the conditions for European manufacturers to lead the global energy transition rather than follow others. It will entice them to manufacture the best, cleanest and most competitive cars, hence regaining consumers’ trust. This is a major leap in the right direction: a modern sustainable European economy with cleaner air in our cities and better integration of renewables into present and future energy systems.”
Elżbieta Bieńkowska, commissioner for internal market, industry, entrepreneurship and SMEs, said: “Our car industry is at a turning point. To maintain its global leadership, and for the sake of our environment and public health, the car industry needs to invest in new and clean technologies. We will foster market uptake of zero emission cars with seamless charging infrastructure and high-quality batteries produced in Europe.”
