Answer given by Executive Vice-President Timmermans on behalf of the European Commission
2.12.2021
To contribute to the 2030 and 2050 climate targets enshrined in the EU Climate Law[1], the transport sector will need to decrease its emissions by 90% by 2050.
With the ‘Fit for 55’ package of measures proposed on 14 July 2021, which includes revised CO2 emission standards for new cars and vans[2], a revised Renewable Energy Directive[3], an Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation[4] and a proposal for emissions trading for road transport fuels[5], the Commission aims to tackle both the vehicle and fuel dimension of the transport sector, covering new and existing vehicle fleets.
The Commission’s proposal for strengthening the CO2 emission standards for new cars and vans sets new targets from 2030 onwards for the average CO2 emissions of new cars and vans registered in the EU.
From 2035 onwards, the Commission’s proposal includes EU fleet-wide targets for manufacturers to reduce CO2 emissions by 100% as compared to 2021, meaning that no new combustion engine cars and vans will be sold in the EU from 2035.
These standards apply to new vehicle registrations and do not impose restrictions for circulation of the existing fleet of vehicles, no phasing out of existing petrol and diesel vehicles is foreseen.
The ordinary legislative procedure has started for the measures that are part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, and the Council and European Parliament are currently examining the proposals.