35% #CO2Emissions cuts for cars - good for climate and jobs

For EPP, these important changes of legislation are crucial in fighting climate change and fulfilling Europe's commitments from the Paris Agreement. However, we regret that once again this issue has been reduced by the European Left into a battle of targets instead of finding balanced common ground that would promote Europe as a standard-maker for the rest of the world.

Gieseke believes that the 40% reduction target supported by the Left has serious consequences: "This would not help the environment; it would, rather, destroy jobs and growth in Europe. It is crucial to do everything to protect the environment and stay ambitious, but we need to remain realistic. I hope our colleagues from the other political groups will see this too."

"Thinking of the fight against climate change, we need to think globally. When do we truly win? We win when others follow our example," said Gieseke, recalling that lower CO2 emissions from vehicles would have direct advantages for consumers.

The European Commission’s original proposal is that average emissions on the new EU fleet of cars will have to be 30 lower that in 2021. For the new EU fleet of vans in 2030, the reduction is also 30%. For 2025, targets for cars and vans are 15% lower that in 2021.

Based on the original proposal from the European Commission, around 170 million tons of CO2 would be reduced in the period from 2020 to 2030, which is equivalent to the total annual emissions of Austria and Greece together. It also says on average, consumers will save up to around €600 for a new car bought in 2025 over a vehicle’s lifetime and up to around €1500 for a new car bought in 2030. With the Left’s over-ambitious proposal, these benefits would diminish.