Rome and Berlin are teaming up to push for a relaxation of EU CO2 emissions standards for cars and a reconsideration of the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel models by 2035. Italian industry minister Adolfo Urso and German economy minister Robert Habeck are leading the charge, arguing that the European car industry is facing collapse and could see tens of thousands of job losses if the current targets are not adjusted.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has also joined the chorus, citing a significant drop in electric car sales and warning of the lack of infrastructure and incentives needed to boost zero-emission vehicle adoption. Car manufacturers are facing the possibility of hefty fines due to the tightening emissions limits, especially as the market shifts towards larger SUV models.
However, the European Commission has indicated that it believes the industry still has time to meet the targets set for emissions reduction. The current regulations require carmakers to ensure that the average emissions of all cars they sell do not exceed certain limits, with further deadlines mandating that only zero-emission vehicles can be sold in the EU by 2035.
The EU had initially included a review clause in 2026 to potentially allow cars running on synthetic fuels to continue being registered, but there are calls to bring this review forward to 2025. Various industrial sectors are lobbying for the EU to maintain its current targets to accelerate the electrification of Europe’s energy system. Ultimately, the debate over CO2 emissions standards for cars is intensifying, with Italy, Germany, and the automotive industry pushing for changes while others advocate for staying the course.
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