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.

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

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 - 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

Press conference on Euro 7 emission standards for cars, vans, lorries and buses following the votes

ENVI - Euro 7 regulation for cars and vans

Fuel Station, renewable E85 fuel , Fit for 55..

Closing statement Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission. 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 crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry, potential plant closures and the need to enhance competitiveness and maintain jobs in Europe: Closing statement Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission

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 engage with representatives from the Commission and the Hungarian Presidency to explore measures aimed at revitalizing the automotive sector. Third part of MEPs debate.

The crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry, potential plant closures and the need to enhance competitiveness and maintain jobs in Europe: MEPs debate (part 3)

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 engage with representatives from the Commission and the Hungarian Presidency to explore measures aimed at revitalizing the automotive sector. Second part of MEPs debate.

The crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry, potential plant closures and the need to enhance competitiveness and maintain jobs in Europe: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate on the challenges faced by the automotive sector in the EU, and how to restore the competitiveness of European manufacturers. As the European automotive sector experiences a crisis sparked by the transition to low carbon technologies, the degradation of supply chains, increased competition from Asia, and decreased demand for electric models. After the statement of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, MEPs discuss possible measures to restore the sector's competitiveness and prevent factory closures. A resolution will be put to a vote in a future session.

The crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry, potential plant closures and the need to enhance competitiveness and maintain jobs in Europe: extracts from the debate

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 engage with representatives from the Commission and the Hungarian Presidency to explore measures aimed at revitalizing the automotive sector.

The crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry, potential plant closures and the need to enhance competitiveness and maintain jobs in Europe: MEPs debate (part 1)

Opening statements. 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 engage with representatives from the Commission and the Hungarian Presidency to explore measures aimed at revitalizing the automotive sector. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry, potential plant closures and the need to enhance competitiveness and maintain jobs in Europe: Opening statement by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission

MEPs vote on the following topics: Laying down additional procedural rules relating to the enforcement of Regulation (EU) 2016/679; New Regulation on Construction Products; Amending Directive 2013/34/EU as regards the time limits for the adoption of sustainability reporting standards for certain sectors and for certain third-country undertakings; Methane emissions reduction in the energy sector; Mercury: dental amalgam and other mercury-added products subject to manufacturing, import and export restrictions; Strengthening the CO2 emission performance targets for new heavy-duty vehicles; Foodstuffs for human consumption: amending certain 'Breakfast' Directives; European environmental economic accounts: new modules; Union certification framework for carbon removals; Standards for equality bodies in the field of equal treatment and equal opportunities between women and men in matters of employment and occupation; and other topics.

Voting Session

MEPs debate and vote on new EU rules to reduce emissions from passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers and to set battery durability requirements for them. The regulation governing the type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles (Euro 7) aims to support the EU’s transition towards clean mobility and improve air quality. Closing statements by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, and Alexandr VONDRA (ECR, CZ), Rapporteur.

Type-approval of motor vehicles and engines with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7): Closing statement by Elisa FERREIRA, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, and Alexandr VONDRA (ECR, CZ), Rapporteur

emissions of vehicles (T)

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