EU officials just backed off their hardline electric vehicle mandate. The original plan required every new car sold from 2035 to be zero-emission, but the revised proposal only demands ninety percent. The other ten percent can be conventional engines or hybrids, with other offsets supposedly balancing their emissions.
This follows intense pressure from automakers, who argued consumer demand for EVs isn't rising fast enough to avoid massive fines. The industry lobby group ACEA had pushed for more flexibility. Alongside the rule change, the Commission wants increased use of low-carbon EU steel and alternative fuels.
Reactions are split. Volkswagen praised the move as pragmatic, given current market conditions. Volvo criticized it as short-sighted, warning it hurts Europe's competitive edge and climate goals. Environmental advocates urged the UK not to follow suit, arguing that strong, stable policy is what drives investment and jobs in the EV supply chain.
The decision underscores the tough balance between aggressive climate targets and the economic realities of the auto industry's transition, raising doubts about the pace of the shift away from fossil fuels.
This follows intense pressure from automakers, who argued consumer demand for EVs isn't rising fast enough to avoid massive fines. The industry lobby group ACEA had pushed for more flexibility. Alongside the rule change, the Commission wants increased use of low-carbon EU steel and alternative fuels.
Reactions are split. Volkswagen praised the move as pragmatic, given current market conditions. Volvo criticized it as short-sighted, warning it hurts Europe's competitive edge and climate goals. Environmental advocates urged the UK not to follow suit, arguing that strong, stable policy is what drives investment and jobs in the EV supply chain.
The decision underscores the tough balance between aggressive climate targets and the economic realities of the auto industry's transition, raising doubts about the pace of the shift away from fossil fuels.
