Automotive: "The 2035 CO2 emissions reduction trajectory needs to be recalibrated" (ACEA/CLEPA)

"The plan to transform the European automotive industry must go beyond idealism to take account of current industrial and geopolitical realities. Meeting rigid CO2 emission targets for cars and vans by 2030 and 2035 is simply no longer feasible in today's world. Instead, the current CO2 reduction trajectory for road transport needs to be recalibrated to ensure that the EU's climate objectives are met while preserving the industrial competitiveness, social cohesion and strategic resilience of Europe's supply chains", states the joint letter from CLEPA and ACEA to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, published on 27/08/2025 ahead of the strategic dialogue on 12/09/2025.

The strategic dialogue on the future of the automotive industry was launched in January 2025. At the next meeting on 12/09/2025, ACEA and CLEPA hope to be able to change a number of European regulations and obtain new guidelines to promote the automotive industry:

• "Technology neutrality should be the fundamental regulatory principle";
• Consider long-term options such as carbon storage and…