The fight against air and noise pollution is part of the broader framework of the European Union’s environmental policy, which is rooted in the EU Treaties and designed to protect human health, preserve natural resources, and promote sustainable development. The European Parliament plays a key role in setting more ambitious targets.

Breathing better: how the EU is reducing air and noise pollution

The European Parliament has regularly called for ambitious measures reducing greenhouse gas emissions in road transport.

The EP has been pushing for the implemention of its 2030 goals to be in line with the targets set by the Paris Agreement. MEPs managed to push through a higher target for reducing EU fleet-wide emissions for new cars by 2030 (40% compared to the EU Commission’s 30%; year of reference 2021). There is an intermediate target of 20% by 2025.&nbsp; Similar targets are set for new vans as well.

On 5 March 2025, the Commission put forward an action plan to support the automotive sector. It was accompanied by the “decarbonise corporate fleets” communication, which highlighted best practice examples. It also encouraged EU countries to take further action to green corporate fleets, which account for around 60% of new car registrations.

Car emissions

Volkswagen, the German car manufacturer, has acknowledged that many millions of its cars sold worldwide have been specially equipped to trick emission tests, so as to appear less polluting.

Long before VW’s emissions test-cheating software was revealed, MEPs repeatedly urged that car emissions testing should take account of real-world driving conditions, so as to end obvious discrepancies between official and real consumption and emissions figures.

Car emissions - 8th parliamentary term

The European Parliament has been pushing for the implemention of its 2030 goals to be in line with the targets set by the Paris Agreement. MEPs managed to push through a higher target for reducing EU fleet-wide emissions for new cars by 2030 (40% compared to the EU Commission’s 30%; year of reference 2021). There is an intermediate target of 20% by 2025. Similar targets are set for new vans as well.

On 17 December 2015 the EP decided to set up the Committee of inquiry into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS) to investigate in detail alleged breaches and maladministration in relation to emission measurements in the automotive sector. On 4 April 2019, the EMIS final report was discussed and legislation voted and approved during the plenary session in Strasbourg.

#EUelections2019 - Car emissions

Parliament debate and vote on a targeted change to CO2 emission performance standards for new cars and vans.

Plenary decides on Tuesday whether to apply its “urgent procedure” to proposed draft legislation that would allow car manufacturers comply with emissions obligations for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027 by averaging their performance over the whole three-year period, rather than being assessed on each year’s emissions individually. Ahead of the vote, political groups’ representatives will hold one round of short interventions.

If approved, MEPs are expected to vote on the substance of the proposal on Thursday. The aim of the proposed change is intended to provide support for Europe’s automotive sector, which is experiencing rapid technological changes and increasing competition.

The proposal is part of the Commission's industrial action plan for the European automotive sector, announced on 5 March 2025. It followed the strategic dialogue on the future of the automotive industry launched by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 30 January 2025, which involved an open public consultation and discussions with the industry and other stakeholders to address the most pressing challenges facing the sector.

CO2 emission performance standards

MEPs address the ongoing crisis in the EU’s automotive industry, focusing on enhancing competitiveness and preventing potential plant closures. This discussion arises as the sector grapples with challenges stemming from the shift to low-carbon technologies, supply chain disruptions, heightened competition from Asia, and a decline in demand for electric vehicles. MEPs will engage with representatives from the Commission and the Hungarian Presidency to explore measures aimed at revitalizing the automotive sector.

The EU automotive industry, a historically significant sector employing 13.8 million people and contributing 8% of European manufacturing value, is currently at a pivotal moment. The transition towards electrification, with all new vehicles mandated to be zero emissions by 2035, alongside digitalization and global competition, necessitates a swift adaptation of business models. In 2023, while the EU produced 14.8 million vehicles, the industry faces the challenge of competing against emerging leaders like China. MEPs are expected to propose a resolution in a future session to address these urgent concerns and secure the future of this vital sector.

The crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry

Voting session

New EU rules to reduce emissions from passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers is debated and voted by MEPs.

The regulation governing the type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles (Euro 7), provisionally agreed with the Council in December 2023, aims to support the EU’s transition towards clean mobility and improve air quality.

For passenger cars and vans, the current Euro 6 exhaust emissions limits and test conditions will be maintained, while stricter limits would be applied for buses and trucks. The Euro 7 standards also tackle non-exhaust emissions (microplastics from tyres and particles from brakes) and include requirements concerning battery durability.

Plenary Debate - Euro 7

EP Plenary Session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Presentation of the automotive package

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles for 2025 to 2027

EP Plenary session - The crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry, potential plant closures and the need to enhance competitiveness and maintain jobs in Europe

EP Plenary session - Type-approval of motor vehicles and engines with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7)

Press conference rapporteur on CO2 emission performance targets for new heavy-duty vehicles

EP Plenary session - Strengthening the CO2 emission performance targets for new heavy-duty vehicles

MEPs votes on 1) Human trafficking and grave human rights violations linked to the recruitment of non-Russian nationals, in particular from Africa, for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine 2) The arbitrary detention of President Mohamed Bazoum by the junta in Niger 3) Case of Elene Khoshtaria and Political Prisoners under the Georgian Dream regime 4) (C10-0351/2025) - Calculation of emission credits for heavy-duty vehicles for the reporting periods of the years 2025 to 2029 5) Agius Saliba (A10-0140/2025) - Package travel and linked travel arrangements: make the protection of travellers more effective and simplify and clarify certain aspects 7) Rzońca (A10-0015/2026) - Activities of the European Ombudsperson – annual report 2024 /Multilateral negotiations in view of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, 26 to 29 March 2026. Texts on which debate is closed

Voting Session

MEPS vote on requests for urgent procedure (Rule 170) / Calculation of emission credits for heavy-duty vehicles for the reporting periods of the years 2025 to 2029 / Abir Al-Sahlani - Establishing an EU talent pool / David McAllister, Charles Goerens - Increased efficiency of the External Action Guarantee / Aurore Lalucq - Appointment of the Vice-President of the European Central Bank / Aurore Lalucq - Appointment of the Chairperson of the European Banking Authority / Javier Zarzalejos - Appointment of the European Chief Prosecutor / Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová - Public access to documents - report 2022 - 2024 / Axel Voss - Copyright and generative artificial intelligence – opportunities and challenges / André Franqueira Rodrigues - Fisheries management approaches for safeguarding sensitive species, tackling invasive species and benefiting local economies / Texts on which debate is closed

Closing statements of the debate on the automotive package, expected to include proposals on a possible revision of CO2 emissions standards for cars and vans, a strategy to boost the production of batteries for electric vehicles, and measures to stimulate demand for clean vehicles in corporate fleets. On 5 March 2025, the Commission put forward an action plan to support the automotive sector. It was accompanied by the “decarbonise corporate fleets” communication, which highlighted best practice examples. It also encouraged EU countries to take further action to green corporate fleets, which account for around 60% of new car registrations.

Presentation of the automotive package: closing statement by Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth

MEPs debate on the automotive package, expected to include proposals on a possible revision of CO2 emissions standards for cars and vans, a strategy to boost the production of batteries for electric vehicles, and measures to stimulate demand for clean vehicles in corporate fleets. On 5 March 2025, the Commission put forward an action plan to support the automotive sector. It was accompanied by the “decarbonise corporate fleets” communication, which highlighted best practice examples. It also encouraged EU countries to take further action to green corporate fleets, which account for around 60% of new car registrations.

Presentation of the automotive package: MEPs debate (part 1)

Presentation of the automotive package: MEPs debate (part 2)

Opening statement by Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth. The debate on the automotive package, expected to include proposals on a possible revision of CO2 emissions standards for cars and vans, a strategy to boost the production of batteries for electric vehicles, and measures to stimulate demand for clean vehicles in corporate fleets. On 5 March 2025, the Commission put forward an action plan to support the automotive sector. It was accompanied by the “decarbonise corporate fleets” communication, which highlighted best practice examples. It also encouraged EU countries to take further action to green corporate fleets, which account for around 60% of new car registrations.This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Presentation of the automotive package: opening statement by Wopke HOEKSTRA, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth

MEPs vote on the following files: Paulius Saudargas (ECON A10-0166/2025) - Amending certain financial services and investment support Regulations as regards certain reporting requirements; Tom Berendsen (TRAN A10-0033/2025) - Inland waterway transport: River Information Services (RIS); (TRAN) - Extension of the derogation for heavy-duty vehicles with zero emissions.

MEPs vote on the following files: Arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania, Return of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred and deported by Russia, Violations of religious freedom in Tibet, Ninth report on economic and social cohesion, CO2 emission performance standards, The protection status of the wolf (Canis lupus), The role of gas storage for securing gas supplies ahead of the winter season, The screening of foreign investments in the Union and repealing Regulation (EU) 2019/452 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Suspending certain parts of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 as regards imports of Ukrainian products into the European Union, Competition policy – annual report 2024, Banking Union – annual report 2024, Objection (ENVI) Genetically modified soybean, Old challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market.

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