European manufacturers see EU measures as not very decisive for the automotive sector
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has noted that, “with the publication of the package of measures for the automotive sector,” the European Commission has given “a first step” to create a more pragmatic and flexible path to align decarbonization with the objectives of competitiveness and resilience, although it has been missing that the measures are “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 an important change with respect to current legislation,” said ACEA Director General Sigrid de Vries.
However, ACEA has pointed out that, “at first glance” the package needs more decisive measures to facilitate the transition in the coming years. “Without urgent action on the 2030 flexibilities for cars and vans – the milestone that is four years from now – the 2035 measures could have a limited effect,” he said.
Furthermore, he has argued that imposing strict conditions to 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 offset system require further evaluation.
On the other hand, ACEA has welcomed the attention devoted to light commercial vehicles (LCV), a vehicle segment that is in dire straits, through a compliance average and a reduction of the objective for 2030, and a series of measures in the Automotive Bus program.
Likewise, the specific amendment for heavy commercial vehicles is, for the employers, “a first positive step”, but they believe that “now requires rapid adoption”. Thus, he has pointed out that it must be followed by an accelerated review of the CO2 Regulation for heavy vehicles, which cannot wait until 2027. “The sector needs a urgent evaluation and periodic monitoring of the state of the most critical enabling conditions for the segment’s transition,” he added.
