Competitiveness implications of CO₂ standards for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles

Question for written answer E-001405/2026
to the Commission
Rule 144
Beatrice Timgren (ECR)

The EU's regulatory framework for reducing CO₂ emissions in the automotive sector, notably Regulation (EU) 2019/631 as amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/851[1], sets increasingly stringent targets for the share of zero-emission vehicles in new car sales.

At the same time, market developments indicate that demand for electric vehicles in several Member States remains below the levels required to meet these targets. This occurs in a context of insufficient charging infrastructure, high energy prices in Europe and increasing global competition, notably from China and the United States.

In this context, the Commission has presented an initiative to amend the existing framework as part of its Automotive Package[2] of December 2025.

Against this background:

• 1.How does the Commission intend to ensure that the current targets remain achievable in practice, beyond the adjustments proposed in the Automotive Package of December 2025?
• 2.Has the Commission assessed the risk that manufacturers may be forced to reduce overall vehicle sales, and what would be the implications for employment and investment in the EU?
• 3.How does the Commission ensure that the framework, including its proposed revision, does not undermine the global competitiveness of the European automotive industry, including in the light of differing national energy mixes?

Submitted: 8.4.2026

• [1] https://oeil.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/en/procedure-file?reference=2023/2731(DEA).
• [2] https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/action-plan-future-automotive-sector/automotive-package_en.