A coalition of seven European Union member states has formally called on the European Commission to maintain the current trajectory of car carbon dioxide emission targets, pushing back against mounting demands from industry and some governments for greater flexibility. The document, signed by ministers from Austria, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, and Slovenia, warns that any further weakening of the standards would jeopardize the EU's broader climate commitments under the European Green Deal.
Growing Divide Over Climate Ambition
The intervention reveals a deepening split within the bloc. On one side stand countries like Germany and Italy, backed by powerful automotive lobbies, who argue that strict deadlines risk deindustrialization and job losses as manufacturers struggle to ramp up electric vehicle production. On the other, the seven signatories insist that the 2035 phase-out of new internal combustion engine cars is a cornerstone of the EU's legally binding target to become climate-neutral by 2050.
“We cannot afford to dilute the ambition now,” said a senior official from one of the signatory countries, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The automotive industry has had years to prepare. Changing the rules mid-cycle would send a disastrous signal to investors and undermine the credibility of European climate policy.”
The document specifically references the upcoming review of the CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and vans, which the Commission is expected to present later this year. The seven countries argue that the current framework provides sufficient flexibility through mechanisms such as the zero- and low-emission vehicle (ZLEV) benchmark and the possibility of banking and borrowing emission credits.
Industry Pressure vs. Climate Integrity
European automakers, particularly in Germany and France, have been lobbying intensely for a relaxation of the targets, citing slower-than-expected consumer uptake of electric vehicles, high energy prices, and competition from Chinese manufacturers. The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has warned that without adjustments, production cuts and plant closures are inevitable.
However, the seven countries counter that weakening the standards would only delay the inevitable transition and leave European manufacturers even more exposed to foreign competitors who are already investing heavily in electric mobility. They point to the success of Norway, which has the highest per capita electric vehicle adoption rate in the world, as proof that ambitious targets can drive innovation and market transformation.
The pushback comes as the EU also grapples with other climate-related challenges. A recent report warned that the 2026 World Cup could double emissions, highlighting the broader tension between economic activities and environmental goals. Meanwhile, the Commission is also preparing new sanctions against Russia, a topic that has seen Hungary signal flexibility on Ukraine EU talks, showing how climate policy is just one of many fault lines in European politics.
What Happens Next?
The European Commission is expected to publish its legislative proposal on the car CO2 standards review in the coming months. The debate will likely intensify as the European Parliament and member states prepare to negotiate the final text. The seven countries have made clear that they will oppose any attempt to push back the 2035 deadline or to introduce loopholes that would allow manufacturers to delay compliance.
For now, the ball is in Brussels’ court. The Commission must balance the competing demands of industrial competitiveness and climate leadership, all while maintaining the unity of the single market. As one diplomat put it: “This is not just about cars. It’s about whether Europe can keep its promises on climate.”
