Looser European emissions targets are bad for business

EV100: A decision to water down agreed CO2 targets in Europe is wrong

The European Commission’s CO2 targets for cars and vans are the bedrock for Europe’s transition to a clean transport future, says Dominic Phinn, head of transport at Climate Group.

In a major concession to the car industry, the European Commission on Monday said it would change how these targets are calculated – essentially watering down agreed legislation. The move follows months of intense industry lobbying.

Pumping the brakes on legislation that was already agreed puts thousands of companies on the back foot. They've made huge investments to decarbonise their fleets, and now they're told: what's the hurry? It's bad government, it's bad business, and it's bad for business confidence.

t also casts profound doubts on how serious the EU is in reducing its emissions from road transport and its climate goals. Hundreds of thousands of EVs are rolling of the conveyor belt in China, but the EU decides to slow down. It's wilfully conceding competitiveness.

Targets are set to boost the production of EVs and infrastructure across the EU. We urge the Commission to keep the 2025 CO2 targets for cars and vans and focus on putting in place conditions that will speed up the EV transition, including a big boost to EV infrastructure, driving growth, competitiveness and innovation – not slow it down."

Instead of tinkering with agreed legislation, the European Commission should use tomorrow’s Automotive Action Plan to strengthen the policy framework that drives Europe’s transition into a clean transport future. That’s why we welcome plans to deliver a legislative proposal setting zero-emission targets for corporate fleets.

A corporate fleet mandate wouldn’t just put all companies on the same track towards decarbonisation, it would also provide security of EV demand for European carmakers to meet their targets, speeding up their transition, and staying competitive in a field where others are moving at breakneck speed.

Many EV100 members, including EDF, Ikea, Maersk, Iberdrola and Unilever support a corporate fleet mandate, accompanied by measures to ensure EVs are available, affordable and adequate charging infrastructure is in place. It would level the playing field – and keep all actors on track.

EV100’s position on a EU corporate fleet mandate

Climate Group’s EV100 network represents companies that are committed to electrifying their fleets by 2030. European members include EDF, Siemens, Allianz, Metro, E.on, Bayer, Iberdrolan and BT.?