EU Parliament committee postpones vote on Commission's Auto Package
Primary region Europe
Tags Climate · Policy · Economy
Regions Europe
The European Parliament's Transport Committee postponed a vote on the European Commission's 'Auto Package' by about two weeks, citing the need for parties in the Centre Platform to reach agreement, according to Der Spiegel. The package would relax the 2035 CO2 target for new cars to a 90 percent fleet reduction versus 2021, instead of zero, allowing some internal combustion engine sales after 2035. A plenary vote is now planned for November. Both Parliament and Council must approve the package.
Strategic interpretation
The delay signals that the coalition supporting the Commission's relaxation of the 2035 combustion-engine ban is not yet consolidated, with the Centre Platform still negotiating. The package's fate matters for the European automotive industry's investment planning, since a 90 percent rather than 100 percent target would extend the viability of hybrid and some combustion models. Because both Parliament and Council must approve, the proposal faces two veto points where member states with large auto sectors can press their interests. A November plenary vote would set the stage for a final negotiation that could still tighten or loosen the conditions attached to the relaxation.