ACEA welcomes EU's revised Automotive Package

European automotive sector association sees changes as first step to amending CO2 legislation for cars and vans

The European Commission’s changes to plans to end sales of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2035 has been welcomed by the body representing European automotive sector.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) sees the Automotive Package as being a more pragmatic and flexible pathway to aligning decarbonisation with competitiveness and resilience objectives.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents the 16 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault Group, Stellantis, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group and Volvo Group.

ACEA had called for an urgent revision of the current CO2 standards for cars and vans because current market conditions mean the 2030 and 2035 CO2 targets for cars and vans are no longer realistic. 

ACEA argues that market realities also warrant a more granular “three-lane” framework, with tailored measures for cars, vans and heavy-duty vehicles.

“Today’s proposals rightly recognise the need for more flexibility and technology neutrality to make the green transition a success. This constitutes a major change compared to the current law,” stated Sigrid de Vries, director general of ACEA. “However, the devil can be very much in the detail. We will now study the package, and work with co-legislators to critically strengthen the proposals where needed.”

However, ACEA says the package needs more decisive measures to facilitate the transition in the next few years. It says that without urgent action on 2030 flexibilities for cars and vans – the milestone which is four years from now – action on 2035 may have a limited effect.

The organisation warns attaching strict conditionalities to various elements of the package may have a counterproductive effect on technology openness and competitiveness. It flags up what it feels are narrow “made in the EU” requirements and the proposed emission compensation system need further careful evaluation.

ACEA welcomes the dedicated attention for light commercial vehicles (LCVs), a vehicle segment that it describes as being in a “dire situation”, through compliance averaging and a 2030 target reduction, and a number of measures in a package known as the Automotive Omnibus.

The targeted amendment for heavy commercial vehicles is also regarded as a positive step. ACEA says this needs to be followed by an accelerated review of the HDV CO2 Regulation, which cannot wait until 2027. 

ACEA notes the commission has also made proposals to make manufacturing of small cars in Europe more competitive, as part of the Automotive Omnibus, which merit closer scrutiny. The announced measures to mandate the greening of corporate fleets risk running counter to the necessary market and incentive-based approach. The industry is supporting incentives and enabling conditions across vehicle segments. Heavy-duty vehicles also need appropriate demand-stimulus measures.

ACEA says the EU automotive sector has introduced more than 300 electrified car models, 70 van types, and more than 45 truck versions.