Today, EU member states have finally backed the decision to reach the target of fully zero-emission new cars after 2035.

This comes after the German transport minister from the liberal party – FDP – raised a dispute over the introduction of e-fuels within the final text of the regulation, on which the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament had nevertheless agreed.

The S&Ds welcome the fact that EU member states eventually decided to keep intact the text of the so-called ‘CO2-standards for cars and vans’ regulation.

The regulation, which is a key achievement spearheaded by the S&D Group, will gradually slash CO2 emissions from cars and vans until their complete decarbonisation by 2035, in line with EU climate goals. From then on, only zero-emission cars will be for sale on our continent.

S&D negotiator on the regulation, Sara Cerdas, said:

“The CO2 cars legislation agreement was the first act of the fit for 55 package. With great concern, we have followed last week’s developments that put in jeopardy the final negotiations reached at the trilogues. We praise the Council for sticking to its guns in the negotiations, and finally we have an approved regulation that will positively impact the EU and keep us on the right path to reach climate neutrality, while leaving no one behind.”

S&D coordinator of the committee on the environment, public health and food safety, Tiemo Wölken, said:

“It is good to see that EU leaders as a whole stick to their commitments. They know that the EU car industry needs a clear signal that the decarbonisation pathway they already started on is indeed the right one. This will also be key to maintaining industry jobs on our continent. This step is much needed for the climate, but also for the competitiveness of our car industry, which is currently lagging behind China and the US.”