Belgium one of leading EU countries in CO₂ reduction of new car fleet

Belgium’s automotive market outperforms most European markets in reducing CO₂ emissions from new cars. According to Febiac and the European Environment Agency data, Newspaper De Tijd reports that the average emissions from new cars in Belgium decreased by over 40% between 2019 and 2023. This is significantly better than the EU average reduction of 27%, which now stands at 108 grams of CO₂ per kilometer.

Moreover, the decrease continues in Belgium (2023: an average of 85.3 grams of CO2 emissions), while preliminary data for 2024 show stagnation in the rest of Europe. Belgium is among only seven countries that have already met the European Commission’s emission standards for 2025 at 94 grams.

Norway, the unbeatable leader

The other compliant countries include Sweden (61.0 grams of CO2 emissions), Denmark (73.3), Finland (60.9), the Netherlands (74.2), Portugal (89.8) and Malta (91.5). The European Environment Agency lists Norway and Iceland (61.9), but these are not EU member states.

In Norway, where customers barely have the choice to buy an ICE car and EV penetration is nine out of ten new cars sold, the average has dropped to an astonishingly low level of 14.5 grams of CO2.

Thanks to company cars

The critical factor driving Belgium’s success is its high share of company cars, supported by favorable tax policies. These vehicles are rapidly transitioning to electric, contributing significantly to reducing emissions.

Company cars in Belgium now emit less than 60 grams of CO₂ per kilometer, while emissions from new privately owned vehicles remain almost twice as high at 117.4 grams. Nevertheless, Belgium can parade itself as an exemplary adopter of the EU transport policy on CO2 emission reduction.

High charging penetration

Febiac attributes Belgium’s strong performance to the dense network of charging stations, especially in Flanders, and the high proportion of homes with the capacity for private chargers.

This infrastructure has facilitated the rapid adoption of electric vehicles in the corporate sector, which accounts for around 60% of the nearly 325,000 cars registered in the country this year.

This ratio was even higher in 2023, at 70%. Febiac suggests that incoming governments should continue to offer temporary incentives for individuals to buy or lease electric vehicles. Unfortunately, the renewal of the subsidy previously provided by the Flemish government is very unlikely.

Remaining challenges

Despite these positive trends, Europe faces challenges meeting its ambitious emission targets. Germany, which accounted for nearly a quarter of all new car registrations in 2023, continues to elevate the EU average due to its slower pace of transition. Southern European countries like Spain and Italy, which join Belgium and France in the top five markets for new car sales, are also lagging behind the EU average.

The commercial van segment faces significant challenges, with no country meeting the 94-gram CO₂ target. Even in Norway, the average emission is 139 grams, while Belgium ranks 22nd with an average of 197.4 grams.

Without targeted purchase incentives and battery-powered solutions being less practical for businesses with intensive working hours, the commercial sector requires additional support to speed up the transition to greener options.

Billions in fines

The European Commission faces strong opposition from the car sector to enforce the stricter emission limits of 94 grams of CO₂ per kilometer, down from the current 116 grams. Low EV sales put certain automakers at risk of paying billions in fines for not meeting the limits. In particular, Volkswagen, Renault, Ford, and Hyundai risk being affected.

According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), this would be a significant blow to an industry already facing intense competition, especially from China.

However, during the last round of CO₂ reduction targets, car manufacturers initially voiced strong objections but adapted relatively smoothly after implementing the regulations.

Green lobby group Transport & Environment points out that most manufacturers only met the previous targets in the year they came into effect rather than ahead of time. Additionally, automakers can pool their CO₂ emissions with other manufacturers, providing flexibility in meeting the targets.