“This legislation goes beyond reducing harmful emissions and protecting the environment. It looks at setting the right incentives for manufacturers; it encourages investment in the infrastructure; it proposes a just transition for workers.”
CO2 from road transport – the only sector across the continent where greenhouse gas emissions are rising – is of particular concern for lawmakers. This has been compounded by an growing number of cars on the road and the public backlash against diesel, with a rising percentage of petrol car registrations contributing to increased CO2 emissions.
A total of 389 MEPs to 239 voted in favour of the legislation, which has been met with scepticism from ACEA. “We remain particularly concerned about the extremely aggressive CO2 reduction targets and the imposition of sales quotas for battery-electric vehicles that MEPs have backed,” said secretary-general Erik Jonnaert. “Today’s vote risks having a very negative impact on jobs across the automotive value chain.
“There is no guarantee that we have the right enabling framework in place to facilitate this sudden transition to electromobility. Consumers cannot be forced to buy electric cars, without the necessary infrastructure or incentives in place.”
PSA Group boss Carlos Tavares, speaking yesterday at the Paris motor show before the vote, was critical of some MEPs from countries without major car production bases. He felt they were inclined to be more extreme in setting CO2 targets because they don’t appreciate the roblems in countries with an industry to protect.
“There is the problem with the superficiality of our society’s thinking,” said Tavares. “These are complex issues which need very carefully crafted solutions.”
Tavarares also called on the EU to appoint a “battery champion” to speed the move towards greater EV use. “All car companies agree we have to keep cutting emissions,” he said. “But it is a question of how fast.
“We must draw a fine line between going so fast that we draw all battery supplies from Asia, the price goes up, and we price some people out of the market, or we go a little slower and source more locally. If we go too slow, we lose the competitiveness of our industry.”
Read more
CO2 reduction targets ‘overly aggressive’, says European car industry
European car industry defends emissions standards amid TRUE Initiative media storm
Average new car CO2 emissions rise as market shifts away from diesels