The European Commission (EC) has unveiled a proposal to revise the penalty system for automakers failing to meet emissions requirements.
The new plan suggests that car manufacturers will now report their progress towards meeting emissions targets over a three-year period instead of annually. According to the Commission, this adjustment would provide manufacturers with additional time to achieve their emissions goals and avoid penalties in the current year.
Previously, the Czech Republic government had advocated for a longer reporting period, suggesting it should be extended to five years.
“The European Commission today proposed an amendment to the regulation setting CO2 emissions standards for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles,” the EU executive body said in a statement. The revised structure means that emissions targets will be averaged over the years 2025, 2026, and 2027.
“This approach allows manufacturers to offset excess annual emissions by exceeding targets in the remaining years. This additional flexibility will help protect the industry’s ability to invest in the green transition while maintaining the target for 2025 and supporting the sector on its way to the next round of emissions reductions,” the Commission added.
“Our highly innovative automotive industry is decarbonizing to contribute to the fight against climate change while also maintaining its competitive advantages in global markets,” commented European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the move.
“With today’s initiative, we are providing more flexibility to this key sector while still maintaining our climate goals. Together, we want to prove that decarbonization and competitiveness can go hand in hand,” she added.
