Negotiator seeks to further weaken internal combustion engine phase-out targets
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A lead MEP from the centre-right European People's Party is proposing deeper cuts to CO2 emission limits for cars and vans, according to EurActiv. The negotiator is seeking to further backtrack on the EU's previously agreed timeline to phase out internal combustion engines.
The move represents an escalation in efforts to soften the bloc's climate commitments for the automotive sector, which have faced mounting pressure from member states and industry groups citing economic concerns and competitiveness challenges against Chinese manufacturers.
An EU centre-right MEP is pushing to weaken car CO2 limits further, seeking to delay the phase-out of petrol and diesel engines beyond previously agreed targets. The proposal escalates pressure from member states and carmakers worried about costs and competition from Chinese rivals.
If CO2 targets are rolled back, you could see cheaper new cars take longer to become electric, affecting fuel costs and air quality in your region. For workers in traditional automotive manufacturing, looser rules might extend job security short-term but could leave European carmakers further behind in the EV transition.