The European Parliament’s environment and transport committees voted on two key proposals in the Automotive Package – the Clean Corporate Vehicles Regulation and the revision of CO₂ standards for cars and vans – and is challenging the European Commission’s approach on corporate fleet decarbonisation and more realistic CO₂ targets and greater technology neutrality for vans. Heavy-duty vehicles remain outside the scope of the regulation, while the reference to potentially introducing purchasing targets for trucks, buses and coaches in 2027 has also been removed.
An outcome welcomed by the IRU (International Road Transport Union). The organisation recognise this as a major political shift in the European Parliament. "The votes mark an important success for the commercial road transport sector and reinforce a clear message: decarbonisation cannot be achieved through purchasing mandates disconnected from market realities", as IRU states. IRU General Delegate to the Permanent Delegation to the EU Raluca Marian said, “The political message from the European Parliament is clear: decarbonisation policies must reflect market realities and the operational needs of transport businesses. Purchasing mandates do not create demand where the conditions for investment are missing, just as CO₂ standards must translate into vehicles that operators can afford and effectively use.” The committees have backed replacing the Commission’s binding 2030 and 2035 corporate fleet purchasing targets with aspirational objectives, giving Member States greater flexibility to determine how to support fleet decarbonisation through national plans. The committees have also recognised the importance of charging and refuelling infrastructure at company premises, depots and along commercial routes, establishing an important link with the forthcoming review of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), according to the IRU statement. Also the IRU states that the environment committee has backed greater flexibility
in the CO₂ standards for new vans, supporting an 80% emissions reduction target by 2035 instead of the Commission’s proposed 90% and the current 100%. The compromise provides greater flexibility through low-carbon steel credits and five-year compliance periods for vans. The compromise also extends the definition of zero-emission vehicles to those running exclusively on eligible renewable fuels under the EU Renewable Energy Directive, subject to a minimum 65% greenhouse gas emissions saving and specific eligibility criteria. IRU sees this as a significant step towards technology neutrality. While CO₂ standards apply directly to manufacturers, they shape the availability, affordability and suitability of vehicles for commercial transport operations. IRU warns that although the committee votes are an important milestone, the legislative process is far from over. The Parliament’s plenary votes are expected in December, followed by negotiations with the Council. IRU calls on MEPs and Member States to consolidate this shift towards a more pragmatic and economically viable decarbonisation framework. “The political message is also highly relevant for the upcoming 2027 review of CO₂ standards for heavy-duty vehicles, where the same principle must prevail: climate objectives must reflect the actual conditions under which transport operators can invest,” concluded Raluca Marian.