The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) noted that, “with the publication of the package of measures for the automotive sector”, the European Commission has given “a first step” create a more pragmatic and flexible path to align decarbonization with competitiveness and resilience objectives, even if the measures have failed to be “more decisive”.
“Today’s proposals rightly recognize the need for greater flexibility and technological neutrality so that the ecological transition is a success. This constitutes a significant change from current legislation,” said Sigrid de Vries, Director General of ACEA.
However, ACEA stressed that at first glance the package requires more decisive measures to facilitate the transition in the years to come. “Without urgent action on the 2030 flexibilities for cars and vans – the milestone which is four years away – the 2035 measures could have limited effect,” he said.
Furthermore, he argued that imposing strict conditions various elements of the package could have a counterproductive effect on technological openness and competitiveness. In particular, the strict requirements of “made in the EU” and the proposed emissions offsetting scheme requires further evaluation.
On the other hand, ACEA welcomed the attention paid to light utility vehicles (LCV), a vehicle segment in great difficulty, through a average compliance and a reduction in the target for 2030, and a series of measures in the Automotive Bus program.
Likewise, the specific amendment for heavy goods vehicles constitutes, for employers, “a positive first step”, but they believe that “now requires rapid adoption”. He thus stressed that it must be followed by an accelerated review of the CO2 regulations for heavy goods vehicles, which cannot wait until 2027. “The sector needs a urgent assessment and periodic monitoring of the status of the most critical enabling conditions for the segment’s transition,” he added.
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