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The European Commission today presented measures to support the European automotive industry in its transition towards "clean mobility", aiming to strengthen the sector's competitiveness, reduce bureaucracy and ensure the EU's strategic autonomy by 2050.
The package, which the Commission describes as "ambitious but realistic", provides for greater flexibility for manufacturers, simplification of rules and a technology-neutral framework, responding to calls from industry in the EU, which is facing competition from China and trade tensions with the United States.
"The European automotive industry is a cornerstone of our economy, contributing 7% to EU GDP and supporting almost 14 million jobs," said Commissioner for Transport and Sustainable Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
A key element of the package is a revised target for a complete ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035. Instead of a complete ban, manufacturers will have to achieve a 90% reduction in emissions, with the remaining 10% offset through low-emission materials or alternative fuels. This paves the way for the continued use of hybrid and conventional engines, in addition to electric and hydrogen-powered ones.
At the same time, the European Commission is seeking to boost the development of small, affordable electric vehicles. By 2035, manufacturers will be able to benefit from special incentives ("super credits") for small electric cars made in the EU, with the aim of stimulating production and demand for more affordable electric models.
As the Commission has pointed out, the European market is characterised by a shortage of small electric vehicles, as by 2024 around 70% of electric car sales were large models and SUVs. At the same time, the general increase in vehicle prices in the EU is making car ownership increasingly difficult for many middle-class families.
Particular importance is also given to corporate fleets, with targets at member state level for the increase in zero- and low-emission vehicles, as well as linking public funding to "Made in the EU" criteria.
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