The Council of the European Union finally confirmed amendment to the regulation defining CO₂ emission standards for new passenger cars and vans. Under the new rules, between 2025 and 2027 emissions compliance will be assessed on a three-year average instead of every year. This approach should help automakers better adapt to the regulations.
Approval of this amendment was the final stage in the legislative process. The document will enter into force on the 20th day after its official publication in the Official Journal of the EU. This initiative is part of the Industrial Action Plan for the automotive industry presented by the European Commission on March 5, 2025. The plan emphasized the need to create clear rules for manufacturers in the period before the introduction of environmental goals for 2025.
The European Green Deal envisages a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in particular by gradually reducing CO₂ standards for new cars. In 2025–2029, the average indicator should not exceed 93.6 g/km. From 2030 to 2034, this limit is reduced to 49.5 g/km, and from 2035 to zero.
Against the backdrop of increased competition from Chinese automakers and the implementation of decarbonization policies, the EU automotive industry is going through a difficult period. In March, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed easing the industry’s CO₂ environmental standards.
