Automotive CO2 standards: Commission encourages Members to seek "a workable compromise" (ENVI Council)

"Views continue to be quite diverging on the Commission proposal [regarding CO2 standards for cars and vans], on the level of ambition and on the appropriateness of flexibilites proposed, notably on the fuel credits. I invite the incoming Irish presidency to continue work based on today's discussion to pave the way for a balanced compromise", said Maria Panayiotou, minister of agriculture, rural development and environment of Cyprus, during an ENVI Council's session on 25/06/2026.

Member States' ministers were gathered to discuss the Commission proposal, as part of the Automotive package, on which Maria Panayiotiou "had hoped that more progress were made".

Among member states, two main approaches emerged, Maria Panayiotou summarized : "One approach puts emphasis on flexibility for manufacturers and technological neutrality as key to help the industry decarbonizing and maintaining competitiveness in these challenging times".

Member states including Czechia, Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Estonia, Austria, Latvia, and Croatia, support this approach, also advocate for recognizing…