MEPs back further weakening of 2035 car emissions targets

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: European Parliament lawmakers have backed a proposal to weaken the EU's 2035 emissions targets for new cars and vans, lowering the required reduction for cars from 100% to 87.5%
• The environment committee's compromise gives manufacturers greater flexibility, marking a significant departure from the EU's original plan to effectively end sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035

🔭 The context: The agreement goes beyond the European Commission's December 2025 proposal for a 90% emissions reduction
• It includes additional credits for manufacturers using climate-friendly steel and lowers the target for vans from 90% to 80%.
• The shift follows sustained pressure from carmakers and governments, particularly Germany and Italy, amid sluggish electric vehicle sales, competition from China and rising production costs
• EU car production remains approximately 19–20% below its 2019 pre-pandemic level, according to Bruegel

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Relaxing the targets could slow the transition to zero-emission transport and weaken the investment certainty needed to expand electric vehicle production
• While flexibility may ease pressure on Europe's automotive industry, continued sales of combustion-engine vehicles beyond 2035 risk prolonging road transport emissions

⏭️ What’s next: The proposal must still win approval in Parliament's full plenary and pass negotiations with EU member states before becoming law
• The outcome will help determine whether the EU maintains a clear pathway towards transport decarbonisation or prioritises greater technological flexibility for its automotive industry.

💬 One quote: “We want climate neutrality, but with the rules we have now agreed on, we are also ensuring technology neutrality,” - EPP climate policy spokesperson Peter Liese

📈 One stat: 87.5%: The emissions reduction target for new cars in 2035 under the parliamentary committee's compromise, down from the original 100% target

Subscribe to our free newsletters to never miss a beat in sustainability.

The world needs sustainability knowledge. At illuminem, no interest group or shareholder can influence our work. Thank you for supporting our mission to make high-quality and independent sustainability information free for all. Every contribution helps. Thank you for donating today.