CO2 emissions: MEPs ease rules for the automotive industry
By The New Obs with AFP
Published on
Members of the European Parliament during a voting session in Strasbourg, March 12, 2025. FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP
On Thursday, May 8, MEPs approved a relaxation of the rules imposed on car manufacturers regarding CO2 emissions , in order to avoid fines in 2025, a wish of the European executive to support this industry in crisis.
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This flexibility mechanism is part of the automotive support plan announced at the beginning of March by the Commission , seeking a difficult balance between climate ambitions and protection of the industry.
The measure, denounced by environmentalists, involves taking emissions into account over three years, from 2025 to 2027, instead of just one year. This gives manufacturers behind schedule and avoids penalties on the December 31, 2025 deadline.
The measure, strongly supported by manufacturers, concerns the manufacture and marketing of new vehicles, cars and light utility vehicles.
“Yet another setback in the fight against climate change”The text adopted in plenary session in Strasbourg (458 votes for, 101 against, 14 abstentions) was supported by a majority made up of the right (EPP), the Socialists and Democrats group as well as the centrists and liberals of Renew.
"The pressure from manufacturers was such that it was deemed necessary to establish a three-year average instead of reading the meters on December 31 ," French MEP (Renew) Pascal Canfin explained to AFP.
The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) welcomed the vote, with its director general Sigrid De Vries hailing it in a statement as "a step in the right direction" .
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