The European Commission has relaxed its 2035 goal for zero CO₂ emissions from new cars and vans, shifting from a 100% requirement to 90% reductions after lobbying from manufacturers and Germany.
Originally set in the 2022 “Fit for 55” package—with 55% cuts for cars and 50% for vans by 2030—the update permits offsets via EU low-carbon steel, biofuels, and e-fuels from captured CO₂.
ACEA warned of “multi-billion euro” fines due to weak EV demand. Sigrid de Vries, its director general, said “flexibility” was “urgent”: “2030 is around the corner, and market demand is too low to avoid the risk of multi-billion-euro penalties for manufacturers. It will take time to build the charging points and introduce fiscal and purchase incentives… Policy makers must provide breathing space to manufacturers to sustain jobs, innovation and investments.”
Volkswagen hailed the revisions as “economically sound overall”, welcoming support for small electric vehicles and greater flexibility for combustion engines. Volvo hit back, warning that “Weakening long-term commitments for short-term gain risks undermining Europe’s competitiveness… A consistent and ambitious policy framework… will deliver real benefits for customers, for the climate, and for Europe’s industrial strength.”
Transport & Environment pressed the UK to uphold its ZEV Mandate—80% zero-emission cars by 2030 and 100% by 2035.
“The UK must stand firm. Our ZEV mandate is already driving jobs, investment and innovation… global markets are going electric fast,” said director Anna Krajinska. UK experts Colin Walker of the ECIU and Fiona Howarth of Octopus Electric Vehicles echoed calls for policy stability to protect investments, pointing to Nissan’s job-creating EV production in Sunderland.
Carmakers seek incentives ahead of the 2030 ban.