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Europe accelerates the transition to clean mobility: Co-legislators agree on strong rules for the modernisation of the mobility sector
18/12/2018
The European Parliament and the Council yesterday reached a political agreement on strong rules to decarbonise and modernise the mobility sector. They provisionally agreed on new CO2 emission standards for cars and light vans in the EU for the period after 2020, emissions from new cars will have to be 37.5% lower in 2030 compared to 2021 and emissions from new vans will have to be 31% lower.
Yesterday evening's agreement is part and parcel of the clean mobility package and a stepping stone towards the modernisation of the European mobility sector, preparing it for climate neutrality in the second half of the century. The Clean mobility package was proposed to ensure that Europe takes decisive action to reduce emissions in the fields of transport and stays competitive. While delivering on our commitments under the Paris Agreement, we also aim at improving air quality for the benefit of all Europeans.The legislative proposal is part of implementing the Juncker Commission priority of a resilient Energy Union and a forward-looking climate change policy.
Commission Vice-President for the Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič sad: "I believe that our economic future depends on our leadership in the solutions of tomorrow. And clean mobility is part of it. Today’s agreement is therefore another credible step in the implementation of the Paris Agreement but also another decisive step in support of the long-term competitiveness of European industry, as this will spur investment into the EU value chain, including batteries and other key technologies. We are sending a clear political signal to the industry, investors, customers and public authorities. Our ultimate goal is that the best, cleanest and most competitive cars are produced in Europe, that they use the best, most modern infrastructure, and that we reduce air pollution.”
Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete said: “I thank the European Parliament and Council for their hard work resulting in an ambitious and balanced agreement. With this legislation in place, we are setting the right targets and incentives to tackle emissions from the transport sector. The new legislation will make consumers save money at the pump. It will help our industry to embrace innovation towards zero-emission mobility and further strengthen its global leadership in clean vehicles. Today’s successful outcome is even more important in view of this weekend's conclusions of the COP24 in Katowice. It clearly shows, once again, our unwavering commitment to the Paris Agreement, helps Member States to meet their 2030 targets, and contributes to putting us on the right path towards a climate neutral European economy by 2050.”
Next steps:
Following this political agreement, the text of the Regulation will have to be formally approved by the European Parliament and the Council. Once endorsed by both co-legislators in the coming months, the Regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the Union and will immediately enter into force.
Read more:
- Commission’s proposal for post-2020 CO2 targets for cars and vans
- Clean Mobility Package
- European Battery Alliance
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