The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has responded to the European Commission’s decision to postpone the 2035 ICE ban for cars and to weaken van CO2 targets. The lobby group is satisfied with the EU’s direction but wants greater clarity for trucks as soon as possible.
For context, the European Commission has announced its ‘Automotive Action Plan’, aimed to support the competitiveness of Europe’s car industry while maintaining a net-zero goal for 2050.
The internal combustion engine ban for cars by 2035 has been softened to a 90% target, while vans now need only a 40% emissions reduction by 2030, down from 50%. You can read our full article on the proposed measures here, with a further deep-dive into the possible consequences here.
Happy but sceptical
Not every car manufacturer is happy about the decision to reverse course again. Companies that have already done their homework, or that only produce EVs anyway, like Polestar, now face a market that will offer less return on their massive investments.
The ACEA, which represents most major car and commercial vehicle manufacturers, welcomes the Commission’s decision. “With the publication of the ‘automotive package’, the European Commission has made a first step to creating a more pragmatic and flexible pathway to align decarbonisation with competitiveness and resilience objectives,” according to the association.
However, the Commission’s proposal remains only that. “However, the devil can be very much in the details. We will now study the package and work with co-legislators to critically strengthen the proposals where needed,” says Sigried de Vries, Director General of ACEA. The association points at the “Made in the EU” requirements and the emission compensation system as potential hurdles.
“Truck regulations need to follow sooner than planned”
However, the ACEA primarily requests an urgent review of the HDV (heavy-duty vehicle) CO2 Regulation. Currently, the plan is to review these regulations in 2027. But with the proposal for cars and vans already on the table, the ACEA wants to move quickly to appease truck manufacturers.
Relief measures, such as the “banking & borrowing” credit system for cars and vans that allows manufacturers to miss initial targets by compensating later on (or vice versa) between 2030 and 2032, are also in demand from truck manufacturers.
The ACEA has repeatedly requested a relaxation of the 2030 CO2 targets for heavy-duty vehicles, along with additional support measures, given the still marginal market share of electric trucks. Similarly, an opening for e-fuels and biofuels would protect transport companies’ operations while still lowering total emissions.
