Statement by CLEPA Secretary General, Sigrid de Vries, on the TRAN Committee vote regarding CO2 standards for cars and vans
Brussels, 28 April – Today the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) voted on amendments to the proposed CO2 standards for new passenger cars and light-duty commercial vehicles, published last July by the Commission as part of the Fit for 55 package. The vote follows the one taken by the ITRE Committee just last week.
A majority of TRAN members voted in favour of recognising the contribution of sustainable renewable fuels for compliance with the targets. Furthermore, members call for adjusting the 100% CO2 emission reduction target proposed by the Commission for 2035 to a 90% target, compared to 2021 levels. The targets for 2025 and 2030 remain unchanged.
On the outcome of the vote, CLEPA’s Secretary General Sigrid de Vries states:
“Recognition of emissions reduction via sustainable renewable fuels is a significant step towards a more holistic approach to climate neutrality. It would level the playing field for different efficient technologies which we need for the transition to net-zero mobility. The voluntary system as proposed by the members of the Transport committee opens an additional option to reach compliance with the fleet targets, complementing electrification.
Today’s vote is a confirmation of the need for technology openness to reach the EU climate goals. Like the ITRE committee last week, the TRAN Committee has decided against a ban on the advanced internal combustion engine – as the proposed 100% target measured solely at the tailpipe would be – recognising the role that hybrid and other technology solutions have to play in defossilising mobility. Further, we are pleased to see TRAN members also confirmed the need for a methodology to accurately measure the full carbon footprint of a vehicle along its life-cycle.”
Although both the ITRE and TRAN votes are non-binding, they clearly indicate the way forward to achieving carbon neutrality in European mobility and we are confident they will be taken into account for the final votes in the upcoming Environment Committee vote and in the Plenary.
For further information on the vote, contact CLEPA’s Head of Governmental Affairs Benjamin Krieger.
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In: CLEPA News, Electrification, Emissions