Regulation (EU) 2023/851 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/631 as regards strengthening the CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles in line with the Union’s increased climate ambition

Summary:

Regulation (EU) 2023/851 - adopted by the co-legislators on 19 April 2023 - introducing amendments to Regulation (EU) 2019/631 as regards the CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles to account for the climate objectives as enshrined in the European Climate Law. This is a text with EEA relevance.

Further information:

Regulation (EU) 2019/631 set new targets for the average CO2 emissions of new passenger cars and vans to help accelerate the transition to low- and zero emission vehicles. The European Green Deal reaffirmed the European Union's ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. In September 2020, the 2030 Climate Target Plan further raised the ambition by increasing the EU's binding target for 2030 towards at least 55% net emission reduction. The European Climate Law turned the climate neutrality target legally binding.

The Commission's Strategy for Sustainable and Smart Mobility addressed the broader challenges of the transition to zero-emission mobility and set out a corresponding roadmap. The Zero Pollution Action Plan further supports the shift toward zero-emission vehicles. Emission standards for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles were seen as key drivers for reducing CO2 emissions in the sector throughout. This Regulation aims to accelerate the transition by requiring average emissions of new cars to be reduced by 50-55% in the period 2030-2034 and 100% by 2035.

The draft law was unveiled by the European Commission on 14 July 2021, as part of the so-called Fit for 55 legislative package. The European Parliament adopted its negotiation position on 8 June 2022. The Council of the European Union adopted its general approach on 29 June. An informal agreement between the co-legislators on a compromise text for this file was reached on 27 October. This was formally endorsed by the Parliament on 14 February 2023 and by the Council on 28 March. The Act was signed by the co-legislators on 19 April 2023 and published in the Official Journal on 25 April 2023.

Official

EUR-LEX: COM(2021)556: Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2019/631 as regards strengthening the CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles in line with the Union’s increased climate ambition https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2021:556:FIN

EUR-LEX: SWD(2021)188: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Subsidiarity Grid https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2021:188:FIN

EUR-LEX: SWD(2021)613: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Impact Assessment https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2021:613:FIN

EUR-LEX: SWD(2021)614: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Executive Summary of the Impact Assessment https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2021:614:FIN

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on CO2 emission standards for cars and vans (2021/0197(COD)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2021/0197(COD)

European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: Revision of CO2 emission performance standards for cars and vans, as part of the European Green Deal https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-a-european-green-deal/file-co2-emission-standards-for-cars-and-vans-post-euro6vi-emission-standards

General Secretariat of the Council: Infographics: Fit for 55: why the EU is toughening CO2 emission standards for cars and vans https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/fit-for-55-emissions-cars-and-vans/

European Commission: Press Release, 14/07/2021: European Green Deal: Commission proposes transformation of EU economy and society to meet climate ambitions https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_3541

EFTA: News, 16/12/2021: EEA EFTA Comment on the proposal for CO2 emission reduction targets for new cars and vans https://www.efta.int/EEA/news/EEA-EFTA-Comment-proposal-CO2-emission-reduction-targets-new-cars-and-vans-527256

German Federal Government: Press Release, 17/03/2022: EU Environment Council: Germany supports phasing out combustion engines for new cars and vans by 2035 https://www.bmuv.de/en/pressrelease/eu-umweltrat-deutschland-unterstuetzt-verbrenner-aus-ab-2035

European Parliament: Press Release, 11/05/2022: Fit for 55: MEPs back CO2 emission standards for cars and vans https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220509IPR29105/

European Parliament: Press Release, 08/06/2022: Fit for 55: MEPs back objective of zero emissions for cars and vans in 2035 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220603IPR32129/

Renew Europe EP Group: News, 08/06/2022: Renew Europe welcomes 100% CO2 reduction for cars and vans by 2035 https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2022-06-08/renew-europe-welcomes-100-co2-reduction-for-cars-and-vans-by-2035

Greens/EFA EP Group: Press Release, 08/06/2022: MEPs vote to end combustion engine by 2035 https://www.greens-efa.eu/en/article/press/meps-vote-to-end-combustion-engine-by-2035

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 29/06/2022: Fit for 55 package: Council reaches general approaches relating to emissions reductions and their social impacts https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/06/29/fit-for-55-council-reaches-general-approaches-relating-to-emissions-reductions-and-removals-and-their-social-impacts/

European Parliament: Press Release, 27/10/2022: Deal confirms zero-emissions target for new cars and vans in 2035 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20221024IPR45734/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 27/10/2022: First ‘Fit for 55’ proposal agreed: the EU strengthens targets for CO2 emissions for new cars and vans https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/10/27/first-fit-for-55-proposal-agreed-the-eu-strengthens-targets-for-co2-emissions-for-new-cars-and-vans/

European Commission: Press Release 28/10/2022: Zero emission vehicles: first ‘Fit for 55' deal will end the sale of new CO2 emitting cars in Europe by 2035 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_6462

European Parliament: Press Release, 14/02/2023: Fit for 55: zero CO2 emissions for new cars and vans in 2035 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230210IPR74715/

S&D EP Group: Newsroom, 14/02/2023: Under S&D leadership, European Parliament puts a ban on petrol and diesel-fuelled cars and vans by 2035 https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/newsroom/under-sd-leadership-european-parliament-puts-ban-petrol-and-diesel-fuelled-cars-and-vans

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 28/03/2023: ‘Fit for 55’: Council adopts regulation on CO2 emissions for new cars and vans https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/03/28/fit-for-55-council-adopts-regulation-on-co2-emissions-for-new-cars-and-vans/

European Commission: DG Climate Action: News, 28/03/2023: Fit for 55: EU reaches new milestone to make all new cars and vans zero-emission from 2035 https://climate.ec.europa.eu/news-your-voice/news/fit-55-eu-reaches-new-milestone-make-all-new-cars-and-vans-zero-emission-2035-2023-03-28_en

German Federal Environment Ministry: Press Release, 28/03/2023: EU member states pave way for zero-emission cars from 2035 https://www.bmuv.de/en/pressrelease/eu-member-states-pave-way-for-zero-emission-cars-from-2035

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News

EurActiv, 21/12/2021: EU split on proposals to extend carbon pricing to road transport, ban polluting cars https://www.euractiv.com/section/transport/news/eu-split-on-proposals-to-extend-carbon-pricing-to-road-transport-ban-polluting-cars/

Politico, 16/03/2022: Germany backs phasing out combustion engine cars by 2035 https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-backs-phasing-out-combustion-engine-cars-by-2035/

Bloomberg, 17/03/2022: Germany Backs EU Phaseout of New Combustion Engines by 2035 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-17/germany-backs-eu-plan-for-only-zero-emissions-new-cars-by-2035

The Guardian, 11/05/2022: MEPs call for 20% reduction in car emissions by 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/11/european-parliament-car-emissions-reduction-interim-goal-2025

Politico, 07/06/2022: European Parliament heads for car engine ban nail-biter https://www.politico.eu/article/european-parliament-car-engine-ban/

Agriland, 08/06/2022: Fine Gael MEPs back EU ban on diesel cars and vans https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/fine-gael-meps-back-eu-ban-on-diesel-cars-and-vans/

Deutsche Welle, 29/06/2022: EU agrees new cars must be emissions-free after 2035 https://p.dw.com/p/4DOB9

EurActiv, 27/10/2022: EU finalises deal spelling death of diesel and petrol cars https://www.euractiv.com/section/electric-cars/news/eu-finalises-deal-spelling-death-of-diesel-and-petrol-cars/

Euronews, 28/10/2022: EU to phase out new combustion engine cars by 2035 https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/10/28/eu-to-phase-out-new-combustion-engine-cars-by-2035

The Verge, 28/10/2022: EU approves effective ban on new combustion engine cars from 2035 https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/28/23428013/eu-ban-combustion-engine-cars-vans-2035-law

Reuters, 28/10/2022: EU approves effective ban on new fossil fuel cars from 2035 https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/eu-approves-effective-ban-new-fossil-fuel-cars-2035-2022-10-27/

France24, 28/10/2022: EU strikes deal to ban combustion-engine cars by 2035 https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20221028-eu-strikes-deal-to-ban-combustion-engine-cars-by-2035

France24, 14/02/2023: EU to ban fossil fuel cars, slash truck and bus emissions https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230214-eu-approves-2035-ban-on-new-fossil-fuel-car-sales

The Guardian, 03/03/2023: EU countries delay vote on landmark law to end sales of CO2-emitting cars https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/03/eu-countries-delay-vote-on-landmark-law-to-end-sales-of-co2-emitting-cars

Politico, 17/03/2023: Germany aims to swerve European Parliament in car engine deal https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-emissions-transport-aims-to-swerve-parliament-in-car-engine-deal/

BBC News, 28/03/2023: New cars sold in EU must be zero-emission from 2035 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65105129

Reuters, 28/03/2023: EU countries approve 2035 phaseout of CO2-emitting cars https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/eu-countries-poised-approve-2035-phaseout-co2-emitting-cars-2023-03-28/

EUObserver, 28/03/2023: EU approves 2035 phaseout of polluting cars and vans https://euobserver.com/green-economy/156876

Deutsche Welle, 28/03/2023: EU passes law to ban sale of CO2-emitting cars by 2035 https://p.dw.com/p/4PMvg

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Commentary and Analysis

Heinrich Böll Foundation: Analysis, 23/09/2021: CO2 performance standards and alternative fuels infrastructure proposals: the right direction, but lacking short-term ambition https://eu.boell.org/en/2021/09/23/co2-performance-standards-and-alternative-fuels-infrastructure-proposals-right-direction

International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT): Briefing, 23/09/2021: Fit for 55: A review and evaluation of the European Commission proposal for amending the CO2 targets for new cars and vans https://theicct.org/publication/fit-for-55-a-review-and-evaluation-of-the-european-commission-proposal-for-amending-the-co2-targets-for-new-cars-and-vans/

BEUC, 30/09/2021: BEUC’s recommendations on CO2 performance standards for cars and vans for 2025 and beyond https://www.beuc.eu/letters/beucs-recommendations-co2-performance-standards-cars-and-vans-2025-and-beyond

Association for Emissions Control by Catalyst (AECC), 08/11/2021: Comments on CO2 emissions for cars and vans – revision of performance standards https://www.aecc.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/211108-AECC-comments-on-CO2-target-for-LD-vehicles-final.pdf

European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA): Publications, 29/11/2021: Position paper – Proposal for revision of the CO2 targets for cars and vans https://www.acea.auto/publication/position-paper-proposal-for-the-revision-of-the-co2-targets-for-cars-and-vans/

EPRS: Briefing, November 2021: 'Fit for 55' legislative package: Strengthening the CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles - Initial Appraisal of a European Commission Impact Assessment https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2021)694249

European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA): Factsheet, 24/01/2022: Review of CO2 targets for cars and vans https://www.acea.auto/fact/fact-sheet-review-of-co2-targets-for-cars-vans/

European Public Health Alliance (EPHA): Latest Developments, 10/03/2022: EPHA joins calls for decision-makers to put vans on a zero-emission path https://epha.org/epha-joins-calls-for-decision-makers-to-put-vans-on-a-zero-emission-path/

International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT): Factsheet No 7, April 2022: European Union CO2 standards for new passenger cars and vans. CO2 performance standards as a means to reduce dependence on oil imports https://theicct.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/fs-eu-co2-standards-oil-imports-apr22.pdf

EPRS: At a Glance, June 2022: CO2 emission standards for new cars and vans https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2022)729451

Greenpeace: Press Release, 20/06/2022: Earlier EU petrol and diesel car phase-out would save drivers €635 billion on fuel https://www.greenpeace.org/eu-unit/issues/climate-energy/46285/earlier-eu-petrol-and-diesel-car-phase-out-would-save-drivers-e635-billion-on-fuel/

EPRS: Briefing, July 2022: CO2 emission standards for new cars and vans: 'Fit for 55' package https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)698920

S&P Global: Commodity Insights, 28/10/2022: European Parliament agrees all new vehicles in EU to be zero emission by 2035 https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/energy-transition/102822-european-parliament-agrees-all-new-vehicles-in-eu-to-be-zero-emission-by-2035

EPRS Briefing: December 2022: CO2 emission standards for new cars and vans: 'Fit for 55' package https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2022)698920

Renew Europe EP Group: Newsroom, 14/02/2023: European Parliament gives green light to zero emissions mobility by 2035 https://www.reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2023-02-14/european-parliament-gives-green-light-to-zero-emissions-mobility-by-2035

European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA): Press Release, 09/03/2023: CO2 from cars and vans: EU auto makers press for resolution to current impasse https://www.acea.auto/press-release/co2-from-cars-and-vans-eu-auto-makers-press-for-resolution-to-current-impasse/

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