Six EU Leaders Urge Flexibility in EU Emission Standards,Advocate for Hybrids and Biofuels
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia meloni,alongside the leaders of Poland,the Czech Republic,Slovakia,Bulgaria,and Hungary,have jointly called for a more flexible approach to upcoming EU regulations concerning CO2 emissions from vehicles. In a letter to key EU leaders – including the Presidency of the Commission, European Council President Antonio Costa, the Danish Presidency, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola – the six leaders emphasized the importance of “technological neutrality” in achieving emissions reduction goals.
The letter, seen by Ansa, specifically addresses the ongoing review of regulations aiming to effectively end CO2 emissions from cars by 2035. The leaders request that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and fuel cell technology continue to be recognized as viable options after 2035. They also advocate for the inclusion of vehicles wiht range extenders (ERV) and other emerging technologies.
A key point of the letter is the call for biofuels to be classified as “zero-emission fuels,” aligning with recital 11 of Regulation 2023/851,and potentially even before the 2035 deadline. This would acknowledge the role of renewable and low-carbon fuels in decarbonizing the transport sector.
Beyond passenger vehicles, the leaders also addressed standards for heavy-duty vehicles (HDV), suggesting a “targeted adaptation” of regulation 2019/1242 to support manufacturers in meeting their objectives and avoid potential penalties. They expressed concern that proposed legislation regarding company fleets,expected in February 2025,could lead to unneeded regulatory burdens and duplication if it introduces mandatory quotas for zero-emission vehicles. Instead, they propose a focus on incentives, support programs, and a technologically neutral approach.
The six leaders argue that limiting company fleets solely to zero-emission vehicles would negatively impact the competitiveness of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, and create additional economic and administrative challenges.
