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CO2 standards: CLEPA urges policymakers to embrace technology diversity for a successful mobility transition

Brussels, 24 March 2023 – As the European Council prepares to finalise its position on CO2 standards for cars and vans, CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, reaffirms its commitment to a balanced and technology-open approach that promotes affordable and sustainable mobility solutions with a real-world impact while supporting the competitiveness of the automotive supply industry.

CLEPA Secretary General, Benjamin Krieger, states “Mobility is an essential part of our daily lives, and we need to find a way to reduce emissions without compromising affordability, jobs, the ability to innovate, and EU competitiveness. No one is questioning the green mobility transition, but parallel and complementary climate-neutral solutions just make sense in the current economic and political context. Energy prices and the IRA are two key challenges, but not the only ones”.

Electromobility will play a dominant role in personal mobility, but this requires critical enabling conditions, such as charging infrastructure, adequate grid capacity, a deep battery supply chain in Europe and access to raw materials, all powered by renewable and affordable electricity. Automotive suppliers advocate for an approach that encourages innovation and investment in a range of climate-neutral technologies, such as hybrids, hydrogen and sustainable renewable fuels, alongside electrification.

Benjamin Krieger goes on to say, “the solutions that allow for technology diversity in the regulations and to make vehicles compliant are available. These considerations are important for cars and vans as much as they are for heavy-duty vehicles.”

CLEPA urges policymakers to take a balanced and pragmatic approach that considers the impact of a narrow technology path on consumers, businesses, and innovation. Europe needs a coherent and supportive policy framework that incentivises the production and use of all available technologies that can help us meet our climate targets, of which there are many.

The competitiveness of the European automotive industry is at stake, and EU policy measures need to match foreign competition in the short-term, and in the long-term, a holistic industrial policy is needed that does not distort the single market, provides more access to finance and skilled labour, reduces burdensome regulations, while enabling innovation.

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