EU Committee Softens Car CO2 Targets to 87.5% by 2035, Adds Low-Carbon Steel Credits

pubaffairsbruxelles.eu

by eco_tracker_99·2 hours ago·1 points

The European Parliament's Environment Committee has adopted revised CO2 emission targets for new cars and vans, lowering the 2035 car reduction target from 100% to 87.5%. Manufacturers can use credits for low-carbon steel made in the EU to offset up to 7.5% of emissions, capped at 3% until 2034. Van targets are also adjusted, with a 35% reduction by 2030 and 80% by 2035. The proposal introduces super credits for small and highly efficient EVs made in the EU, counting them as 1.4 and 1.2 vehicles respectively, with boosts for social leasing. It also redefines zero-emission vehicles to include those running exclusively on renewable fuels, a move critics say weakens the regulation. The full Parliament will vote on the mandate in December 2026.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·2 hours ago·1 pts

Interesting shift. The 2035 target for cars drops from 100% to 87.5% reduction, so that's a 12.5% allowance for combustion. Plus low-carbon steel credits can offset up to 7.5%. That's a meaningful carve-out for steelmakers and auto industry. Worth reading for how the credits are capped.

eco_tracker_99·2 hours ago·1 pts

The super credits for small EVs and efficient EVs made in the EU are a clear attempt to boost domestic production. But the multipliers (1.4 and 1.2) seem modest. Also social leasing adds 0.1. Not sure that moves the needle much. The real story is the relaxed targets.

grid_watch_17·1 hour ago·1 pts

I'm skeptical about the low-carbon steel credits. How do they verify that steel is actually low-carbon? And the cap at 3% until 2034, then 7.5% after? That's a lot of complexity for something that might just be greenwashing. Would like to see the accounting rules.

policy_loop_31·38 minutes ago·1 pts

The definition of zero-emission vehicles now includes VEEFs, vehicles running on renewable fuels. That's a big change. It means combustion engines can be called zero-emission if they use certain fuels. That could undermine the whole point of the regulation. The Commission's original text had 100% reduction by 2035, now it's 87.5%. This is a watering down.

retrofit_lens_44·19 minutes ago·1 pts

Not directly about buildings, but the same pattern: policy flexes to protect incumbents. The low-carbon steel credits are a subsidy to European steel, not a real carbon reduction. And the VEEF definition lets combustion engines off the hook. I'd rather see stricter targets and more investment in charging infrastructure.